Lakeville, Minnesota: Lion News released an emotional video excerpt of the June 30, 2016 interview between Samantha Rucki and Detective Kelli Coughlin. LION NEWS: EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF SAMANTHA RUCKI CALLING DAKOTA CO. JUDGE KNUTSON A “DICK”
The shocking video begins with Samantha tearfully crying, “It never should of happened, I just want to be with my Mom.” At another point in the interview, Samantha says, “I just wanted to be with her (Sandra) and no one would let us…”
Samantha was questioned about her two-year long disappearance following a family court order that temporarily granted custody to paternal aunt, Tammy Jo Love, and placed the Rucki children within the control of abusive father, David Rucki. The Rucki children raised numerous allegations of abuse against their father and also stated that they did not feel safe in the care of Tammy Jo Love.
Samantha admits she was “guilted” by her father, David Rucki, to do an interview with police and told to “recant”.
Earlier this week, journalist Michael Volpe reported on the same interview: Explosive Rucki police interview adds new wrinkle to story
Volpe elaborates on the interview, offering additional details, including, “Initially, the younger Rucki told the Detective that her father attempted to threaten her ahead of the interview, “They (her father and his sister) basically said I have to (go to the interview) and I have to be here and I have to recant everything I said and it’s going and that’s the way it’s gonna be- and they made me feel guilty about it and I started to cry.”
This tampering takes on extra meaning because when Samantha testified in her mother’s trial, the court took the unusual step of allowing Samantha to testify by Skype and out of the view of the jury. Her father, his sister, her grandmother, and attorney were all in the room all out of the view of the jury.”
At least one child did recant his story – Nico Rucki previously disclosed physical and mental abuse from his father, has now changed his story and says it was Sandra who pressured him to make those claims. Was Nico subjected to the same treatment as Samantha had described?
Comments made in the police interview suggest that Rucki terrorized his family. Samantha states she felt “frightened”, and witnessed escalating violence in the home, “It was constantly screaming, and he (David Rucki) was getting to the point where he was starting to get physical.”
Samantha admits she ran away because she was in a “panic” and says the failures of the Dakota County Family Court -specifically Judge David L. Knutson, Julie Friedrich (Guardian ad Litem), Dr. Gilbertson (a therapist) – contributed to her decision.
Sandra’s criminal trial was presided by Judge Karen Asphaug, who refused to allow the transcript or audio of this interview to be entered as evidence. Judge Asphaug also refused to allow a domestic violence expert to testify on Sandra’s behalf; 75% of evidence submitted was withheld from the jury.
Sandra is due to be sentenced September 21st – she has been charged with 6 felony counts of depriving custodial rights. The circumstances surrounding her conviction raise concerns that she did not receive a fair trial.
Also concerning is the safety and well-being of the Rucki children. David Rucki went to great lengths in an attempt to silence Samantha…what has he got to hide, and what lengths will he go to bury the truth?
Judge Karen J Asphaug
Judge David L Knutson
Dr. James Gilbertson, PhD
Guardian ad Litem Julie Friedrich
Justice for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Children 
This case just like the #WolfertsSisters and the #Tsimhoni case are an outrage. I can only hope that the public opens their eyes to the injustice way #FamilyCourts nationwide operate when an abuser like #Rucki sets out to terrorize their children and ex’s. One can only pray that Sandra wins an appeal and her children are returned immediately.
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I’ve been following this disgraceful, unprofessional treatment of these young LADIES and their Mother since the beginning. These Young LADIES are not children. They have a mind of their own and it’s clear that the system and father is trying very hard to manipulate them. To recant the truth, and claim their mother did some sort of brainwashing called the “bogus” Parential Alienation Syndrome/Parential Alienation. There is no evidence this even exists. Yet, the system of so called professionals are suggesting that this is all the mothers fault. In this interview this young lady has answered her question, yet she is still trying to make her say her mother was involved in the plan. Anyone can ask different questions in hopes to get the answer they want. It’s clear manipulation. Believe me a teenager at this age can not be manipulated to answer a question of lies unless they are threatened to do so. This case needs a qualified Domestic violence Lawyer that only deals with cases like this. The pro Bono lawyer’s that came on to the tishmoni case would be great for these girls and mom. How can they even consider putting mom in jail for this. Most if not all mother’s would of done the same thing if their daughter/son called them in a panic. The court system in this case is causing harm to these girls and mom.
This court is so bias and abusive mentally to these girls and mom. Forcing your kid’s to be with you in spite is what I see this so called “father” is doing. It’s called domestic violence by proxy. I see black robe syndrome all over this case. If I was a family member I’d sue this court in criminal court and also make complaints on the family court judge. For the way he’s handled a case of domestic violence by proxy. I’m a child advocate and work at a womens shelter and I’ve never heard such unprofessional, unethical, bia judge other then Gorcyca with the tishmoni case. Removal from the bench needs to happen with both. Whatever goes around comes around. If you believe in God…he’s watching.
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Canadian Advocate – Thank you for your reply, and for your work to assist and support abused children.
More needs to be done to protect children from abuse, and to ensure our family court system appropriately responds instead of increasing the trauma, and upheaval.
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Question? How can Sandra be convicted of deprivation of parental rights when the kids ADMIT 2 running away? Samantha even told the police “it was my idea”. And why didn’t Det Coughlin ask Samantha why she wanted 2 run away? Sounds like Dakota Co is covering up abuse & every level of govt is involved. That Judge Knutson is a powerful & corrupt guy!!!
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