(Lakeville, Minnesota) Once again David Rucki is desperate to remove an article from the internet. It’s about how he beat his wife and unborn child because he found out his unborn child “wasn’t perfect.”
Rucki is a dangerous abuser who has threatened, harassed and intimidated anyone who has exposed his abuse, and the various crimes he is perpetrating.Already the Carver County blog was pulled off the internet after threats of legal action from Rucki… and all traffic is re-routed to a hateful disinfo blog that spreads his lies. Don’t let Rucki get away with this!!
From Michael Volpe: “I think Mr. Rucki needs to be introduced to the Streisand Effect, using the courts to suppress information will only spread that information far and wide. Please share, copy and paste and if you have a website, please put the article on your site. For a bonus send his attorney Lisa Elliott an email and let her know that you found the article because of the motion she filed. lisa@elliottlaw.net”
More from Michael Volpe: “It appears David Rucki is using the courts to remove an article from the internet. Acccording to a recently filed motion, Rucki is asking for an emergency hearing to remove a story entitled “Beaten Before Born: Sandra Grazzini-Rucki Assaulted While Pregnant – Rucki Wanted to Kill Baby Because He ‘Wasn’t Perfect’”. It was published on Red Herring Alert, a blog which Dede Evavold contributes to. Rucki, due to restrictive probation conditions, believes he can force the removal of this blog from the internet. See his petition: Rucki ‘Emergency’ Motion
Though David Rucki claimed this was an emergency, the blog was originally published on December 18, 2017. Why he waited two months to take action on an emergency only he can explain…”
“I’m just asking that you let us live with our Mom.. because this court, Dakota County Courts, Judge Knutson, Miss Friedrichs (GAL), Doctor, have been ruthless, and playing favoritism with my father, and calling us liars…”
An audio recording made by 14-year old Samantha Rucki describing the violent and frightening behavior of her father, David Rucki, and the failure of the family court to protect her and her siblings from abuse, has resurfaced after disappearing when the Carver County Corruption blog was shut down (the blog was taken offline in June 2016 due to threats of legal action from David Rucki).
This recording was posted originally on the Carver County Corruption blog, and in an effort to help Sandra and her children, was sent with a letter explaining the case to the entire Minnesota State Legislature, but no one did anything to intervene or protect the Rucki children. Samantha and her sister, Gianna, was eventually forced to live with Rucki, while the media- namely 20/20- ignored this evidence and portrayed Sandra, who fought to save her children from abuse, as the villain.
Public Domain Image (Source: Pinterest)
Samanatha reveals shocking allegations of child abuse, and domestic violence in this audio.The abuse was the reason she, and her sister, Gianna, ran in away in April 2013, and went into hiding in order to save their lives after the family court failed to protect them, and their siblings from a violent father:
“ And then my dad, before the whole divorce thing he’d always come home drunk or he’d beat my Mom to no end…”
“He (Rucki) threw her against the wall (Sandra) and said he was going to kill her but didn’t want to face the consequences…”
“He’s (Rucki) lost it on us kids a number of times.. He threw Nia (sister) onto a couch and started choking her, and she’s 11….”
“Over the years my friends have not been over because of my father’s actions, because their parents are afraid…”
Samantha says the Dakota County family court handling the divorce and custody case contributed to the abuse:
Judge David L Knuston threatened the children with “jail” if they did not comply with his demands. Court orders issued by Judge Knutson endangered the mental and physical safety of the children. It should be noted that David Rucki personally requested that Judge Knutson be appointed to this case.
Inappropriate sexual behavior towards the teen girls by Dr. James Gilbertson
Dr. Gilbertson and GAL Julie Friedrich called Samantha a quote “whore” and forced her to take a pregnancy test because of the shape of her body. (Note: This would have been extremely traumatic for a child who had disclosed sexual abuse).
Samantha says she reported abuse to Dr. Gilbertson, and he refused to help her, stating she “needed a video tape” as proof. It should be noted that court testimony from Dr. Gilbertson confirms that the children did, infact disclose abuse, just as Samantha describes in this video. Dr. Gilbertson never reported the abuse, as mandated by law, and despite the visible fear of the children toward their father, and long history of CPS reports, continued to force them into de-programming and reunification therapy.
Dr. Gilbertson coerced and pressured the children to recant abuse allegations
Dr. James Gilbertson, PhD
Guardian ad Litem Julie Friedrich
The audio recording was created sometime in 2013, around the time Samantha and her sister went into hiding to escape her father’s abuse after the family court presided by Judge David L Knutson, failed to protect them, and instead ordered the frightened teens into “de-programming” and “reunification therapy” with the intent to award custody to David Rucki, father.
Judge David L Knutson
Samantha and her siblings had disclosed acts of physical and emotional abuse, and witnessing their father abuse towards their mother, to various professionals including: police, therapists, CPS workers, the Guardian ad Litem Julie Friedrich, and to Judge Knutson, to no avail. Instead of being protected the children were called “liars” and accused of being “brain washed” by their mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki. Samantha says her mother never alienated her from her father or spoke badly about Rucki to the children. In fact, Samantha says, she was given phones, facebook, and e-mail and could have contacted Rucki at any time but chose not to (due to his abuse). The children deny they were brainwashed, and say they do not need programming… they just need to be protected from the abuse.
The children were re-traumatized when forced into “reunification therapy” with their father. Reunification therapy involved pressuring the children to recant abuse allegations and drilling them with negative messages about their mother in order to break their bond with her. The family court system worked to cover up the abuse to the detriment of the children, who began to de-stabilize in reunification therapy. During one session, it was reported the youngest child was locked in a room with therapist, Dr. James Gilbertson, and during session, “blood curdling” screams emitted from the room, filling the halls. The oldest children were separated from the youngest with the intent to isolate the siblings, and make them easier to control. Samantha and her sister, Gianna, were purposely made unable to do anything to help their younger sibling but took on the role as comforter after their mother was removed from their lives (due to an illegal court order by Judge David L Knutson).
The failure of the family court to protect the children from abuse, and re-traumatization caused by the denial of the abuse followed by reunification therapy created the crisis that led to Samantha and Gianna Rucki, to run away, in fear for their lives, in April 2013 after they became aware that the court intended to place them back into the custody of their father.
In this audio from 2013, Samantha begs for someone to help protect her from her father’s abuse and from the family court. She also begs to live with mother, who she says “is my rock”. When begging to live with her mom, Samantha’s voice breaks, she pleads “just please let us live with our Mom and be happy.”
The sisters remained in hiding for 2 years before being recaptured and sent to live with their father against their will.
Letter from Dr James Gilbertson to GAL Julie Friedrichs acknowledging abuse allegations raised by Rucki children – response is to force visits with the father they fear
Note – Blogs Reporting on Grazzini-Rucki Case Intimidated, Threatened with Legal Action by David Rucki in an Effort to Suppress Truth:
“Have the courage to do the right thing and clean up the favoritism, fraud, and abuses occurring in our court systems….” Carver County Corruption Blog, June 2013
The cries for help from the Rucki children have been silenced, first by the abuse and then by the corrupt family court system in Dakota County that enabled and protected a dangerous man, David Rucki. Even the mainstream media, including national news outlet ABC 20/20, as engage in a conspiracy of denial and silence. The lives of children are at stake – when blogs are shut down, an avenue to help or support is as well.
David Rucki has worked to shut down two blogs – Carver County Corruption and Red Herring Alert – in order to suppress his abuse of Sandra and the children, and to suppress the truth about the corruption in the Dakota County court system involved in this case, from reaching the public.
The Carver County Corruption blog was created in 2012 to expose family court, and judicial actions, in Carver County that have unlawfully deprived parents of their rights, and their children; and put the lives of children at risk by placing them in the custody of abusive parents.
The blog was started by a courageous mother who had experienced injustice in family court, resulting in her children being wrongfully taken from her without any findings or abuse or legal justification. For history on the blog please read: Carver County (Patch)
The CCC blog inspired other parents from across Minnesota, and the nation, to share similar stories of unjust family court rulings. As a result, parents and advocates began to unite to demand reform in family court, and in the judiciary. As a result of the Carver County Blog, numerous complaints were filed with various state agencies regarding the practices of family court; other complaints focused on actions taken in specific cases. During its peak, the parents and advocates involved with the CCC blog visited over 40 Minnesota State legislators, and traveled to Washington D.C. to voice concerns.
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was among the parents who shared their story (with documentation and court records) on the CCC blog. The CCC blog was instrumental in exposing the illegal and lawless actions of Judge David L Knutson, documenting the abuse of the five Rucki children, and taking this case from a closed courtroom to the public. The CCC blog became a major source to read about the Grazzini-Rucki case, with its links being shared across the nation.
The Carver County Corruption blog inspired family court reform in Minnesota, but exposing the truth about corrupt family courts, and the dangerous abusers who are awarded custody of children resulted in retaliation first from the family court who tried to shut it down, then from David Rucki who took a second swing at the blog. In June 2016, after threats of civil litigation from David Rucki and his high buck attorney, Marshall Tanick, the CCC blog was finally removed from the web.
The Red Herring Alert blog, which offers articles on current events, politics and has also covered the Grazzini-Rucki case, was also threatened with civil litigation at the same time as the CCC blog but resisted Rucki’s efforts to shut it down.
David Rucki has escalated efforts to take Red Herring Alert off the internet by filing a fraudulent harassment restraining order against blog owner, Dede Evavold, claiming public coverage of the Grazzini-Rucki case is a threat to his life, this despite the case being covered by his own personal blogger as well as covered by news sources across the nation, including ABC 20/20.
Red Herring Alert continues to report news and updates on the Grazzini-Rucki case; and expose the truth about the abuse suffered by Sandra and the children at Rucki’s hands, and the lawless courts that protect him. Publicity is vital to demand justice, and protect these children! Show your support of Red Herring Alert and take a stand for freedom of speech – please visit, like, comment and share links.Red Herring Alert
A letter in support of fit, loving mother Sandra Grazzini-Rucki who has been unjustly targeted by Dakota County, and the State of Minnesota, in a family and criminal court case that has completely destroyed her life and caused her not only to become homeless, but to go into hiding for fear of her safety. Please read below for more information on how you can contribute your own letter. Or leave a comment to this blog. Thank-you!
_______________
Like Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, I have 5 children, my children and I are victims of state-sponsored ‘case fixing’ and racketeering and an unbelievable level of oppression and terror, we have been separated for many years, and we face never-ending tyranny by the criminal elements in our government, due in large part to inaccurate news stories like your ‘Footprints in the Snow‘.
Here is a recent comment I made on YouTube videos in my ongoing effort to set the record straight here in Minnesota:
“DEAR MINNESOTANS:
Don’t be fooled.
“Parental Alienation” definitely exists and is definitely child abuse, but in this case it was used by David Rucki, his attorney Lisa Elliot, and especially by judge David Knutson and many other officers of the Dakota County courts as a smokescreen to dupe the public and hide their “case fixing” and racketeering and money laundering; nearly every case in Minnesota’s First Judicial District — family law, criminal, probate, etc. — has been “fixed” over the past few decades to maximize profits and federal funding. Billions of dollars have been extorted from Minnesotans and tens-of-billions of dollars have been stolen from American taxpayers. And Minnesota’s highest-authorities know all about it and look the other way because of all the money coming in to the state.
Do your own research. Look below the surface in the Sandra Grazzini-Rucki case. Find out what Knutson and the other “case fixing criminals” did to Sandra and her attorney, Michelle MacDonald — then you will know why they are falsely accusing Sandra of “parental alienation.”
It’s a total farce. And the farce is on you, Minnesotans.”
When I sent a one-page summary of my family’s ordeal, and 9 criminal complaints that I sent to Minnesota’s highest-authorities in a final attempt to stop the crime spree against my family, not knowing at the time that they are all involved in the treason. Needless to say, I received no responses or help for my suffering family, just like Sandra.
As stated in my complaints, I have evidence to prove hundreds of crimes by hundreds of officials. I was victimized in the same judicial district as Sandra. I have a growing list of other victims in this district who can attest to the crime sprees against Sandra, and me, and them, and many others who have been ripped off by “Minnesota’s case fixers.”
Please do a follow up show to correct your errors and expose the truth. I, and many others, would be happy to contribute.
A response to this email would be greatly appreciated.
Asking everyone to send emails to express your thoughts, and demand answers, in regards to injustices, and numerous violations of state law, and Constitutional rights committed in the family and criminal case of Sandra Grazzini Rucki.
The Crystal Cox lawsuit is a landmark court case that defines, and upholds, the 1st Amendment protections of bloggers.. and is relevant when considering the recent HRO issued against Dede Evavold.
“This ruling should be a clear reminder to misguided attorneys, corporations, developers or those with affluence to cease bullying or intimidating those who report the issues of the day.” ~ Choon James
Blogging is an exercise of protected speech and does NOT constitute ‘harassment’!
“Respondent (Evavold) continues to post information about my family, photos of my family, myself and other members of my family,” Rucki said in his ex-parte harassment restraining order application, “Respondent also continues to make allegations which are false but may incite others against me. My children are frightened for their safety and feel their privacy has been violated.”
The application continued, “This is a proven pattern that has been going on for years.”
Rucki does not specify what Evavold has said which is harassing or threatening; an email to Rucki’s attorney, Lisa Elliot, was left unreturned.
Evavold has a blog called Red Herring Alert, where she writes about the Rucki case among other blog posts.
This is not the first time David Rucki has used the legal system to try and shut Evavold’s blogging down. In the Summer 2016, his then attorney, Marshall Tannick, sent Evavold a letter threatening a lawsuit if she didn’t remove her blog immediately.
“I am writing to you on behalf of David Rucki,” began a letter from Tanick to Evavold from June 7, 2016, “and his daughters, Samantha and Gianna, with regard to the matter relating to the removal and concealment of the girls and related incidents that have occurred during that episode and thereafter.
“There are various civil claims arising from your involvement in this matter.”
Tannick did not respond to an email for comment and it’s not clear if he is representing him regarding the restraining order.
Evavold did not respond to the letter at the time and continued blogging.
On April 18, 2013, Rucki’s two oldest daughters- Samantha and Gianna- ran away from home and stayed for approximately two and half years with strangers- Doug and Gina Dahlen- after a judge- David Knutson forced them to live with Rucki’s sister- Tammy Love; even though all five Rucki children complained vociferously at the time that David Rucki and his family were violent.
Rucki has lived in the Minneapolis suburb of Lakeville throughout the process.
Evavold was one of four people convicted in relation to this disappearance after she recommended to the girls’ mother- Sandra Grazzini-Rucki- that she take her two daughters to live with the Dahlen’s; the Dahlen’s pled guilty for their role in hiding the two girls earlier in 2017.
Ironically, David Rucki is no stranger to restraining orders as nine people- his five children, his ex-wife, two neighbors, and an in-law- all successfully took out a restraining order against him after threatening and stalking behavior.
This case has been covered internationally and Rucki has conducted hundreds of interviews, making his pleas for privacy curious.
The trial judge- Karen Asphaug- disallowed any mention of his criminal history; when his ex-wife testified at her trial she wasn’t even allowed to allude to the restraining order she and her children took out against him.
Not surprisingly, Asphaug also granted him this restraining order ex-parte, which means without the other parties- in this case Evavold- knowledge.
Normally, an ex-parte restraining order is only granted in cases where someone is under immediate threat of physical danger and the granting of a restraining order based on blog posts should raise first amendment issues.
I contacted Brandon Stahl (Minneapolis Star Tribune), Laura Adelmann (Sun-Current), Michael Brodkorb, Elizabeth Vargas, Sean Dooley, and Beth Mullins (the last three the team behind the controversial 20/20 broadcast on this case which ignored Rucki’s documented history of abuse)- but none provided a response.
Adelmann, it was recently revealed, approached the jury during Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s trial and asked if any would like to be interviewed after the trial was over; her behavior is now the subject of a jury tampering allegation.
Asphaug appears to be David Rucki’s personal judge. She presided over each of the four criminal trials in this case- Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, Dede Evavold, Dough Dahlen, and Gina Dahlen.
Asphaug ruled to disallow nearly all of David Rucki’s criminal history and forced Gina Dahlen to testify in multiple trials even though she was a defendant still awaiting her trial.
The 1st Judicial District, where Asphaug sits, would only say that judges are chosen to a case “by statute” but would not explain how Asphaug wound up repeatedly on Rucki’s cases.
A phone call and email to Lissa Linne, a public affairs officer for Minnesota Courts, was left unreturned.
A call to Asphaug’s law clerk, Jennifer Williams, was also left unreturned.
Asphaug taking over legal proceedings related to Rucki continues a pattern.
Judge David Knutson placed himself on every legal case related to the Rucki’s when he took over their divorce in 2011.
“The above referenced matter has been assigned to the Honorable Judge David Knutson,” a letter written by Knustson’s clerk in August 2011 stated, “all future matters shall be scheduled in front of Judge David Knutson.”
Knustson proceeded to issue approximately 4,000 orders, almost all regulating Sandra Grazzini-Rucki’s behavior; he gave 100% of a multi-million estate to David Rucki and forcibly- under the threat of jail- removed Sandra Grazzini-Rucki from her home, and awarded David Rucki sole custody of his children, despite his documented history of violence.
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki has not seen any of her five children since early 2013.
Evavold has twenty days to challenge the restraining order.
The terms of the restraining order forbid Evavold from speaking about the Rucki family in public or approaching the family; the restraining order appears to be overkill as the terms of Evavold’s probation already forbid all this.
Evavold’s probation is overseen by Judge Asphaug, though she’s yet to violate her probation.
Evavold has four months left to serve on her prison term, but like Grazzini-Rucki, Asphaug has ordered her to serve it over the next six years.
Host Sandra Grazzini-Rucki interviews Neil Shelton of “Growing Up Mayberry”.
Mount Airy, North Carolina aka “Maybery” is the fictional setting for the all-American hometown portrayed in “The Andy Griffith Show” it has now become infamous for the extreme injustices inflicted on Neil Shelton. The dark side of Mayberry has been exposed…Andy Griffith and Don Knotts (Barney Fife) must be rolling in their graves!
Neil is the victim of a conspiracy involving his ex-wife and her attorney Sarah Stevens, a powerful state legislator, who sought to destroy him in a divorce. Neil has been forcefully separated from his children, stripped of everything he owns, financially devastated to the point that he became homeless, arrested 79 times on false charges by the Mayberry police (but never convicted) and falsely imprisoned. Neil has survived this incredible ordeal is fighting back!
Neil has since filed a civil lawsuit, seeking damages against the State of North Carolina, including 10 public figures and agencies, including Sarah Stevens. Neil has also helped to build “Future of Children” radio network, along with other hosts.
Congressional Testimony: Caroline Marie Rice to Bill Windsor of Lawless America.
“Our family was torn apart by violence, now it’s being torn apart by lies, I am so sorry for my children. I’m sorry I stayed too long. I don’t know what will happen next.. but I will stand for the truth.”
Thank you Caroline for bravely sharing your story… you do not fight alone.
Lawless America is a documentary film that is exposing government corruption, judicial corruption, and law enforcement corruption.
“In the Best Interest of the Children” with Dr. Carlos Rivera featuring Yahya McClain, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Journalist Michael Volpe
Date: December 22, 2016
Subject: Yahya McClain discusses his upcoming documentary “Casualties of W.A.R.” about how the family court system tears families apart for financial gain. The documentary examines real-life experiences of families impacted by parental alienation.
McClain says that despite the title, his documentary is not gender biased. McClain used his own experiences, as a father alienated from his child, as a springboard to create this film. McClain says “Casualties of W.A.R.” depicts the different perspectives of families who are being devastated by the family court system.
The Sandra Grazzini-Rucki story involves a mother who encountered a nightmare in a family court that resulted in being forcibly removed from her home, and her children unjustly taken. As a result of proceedings, Sandra was court ordered into a “lifetime of servitude”. She lost everything important to her, and lost her freedom as well.
The Grazzini-Rucki case reached a crisis on April 19, 2013; when Sandra’s two teen daughters ran away after being placed in the custody of a relative whom they feared. The daughters were missing for two and a half years and since being found their story has received international attention.
With seeming he said/she said accusations and confusing terms like “parental alienation”, the truth may seem difficult to reach. Still, with hundreds of stories, the media has yet to find it. Now, the whole unbelievable story is told; it’s a story of domestic violence, court cover-up and a compliant media covering up the whole sordid tale.A lawyer is forced to represent her client while “under arrest”, a mother of five with no criminal record is jailed with a convicted murderer, and years of violence and criminal activity by a dangerous man is ignored.
After reading this blog, Malinda left the following comment to share her thoughts regarding ABC 20/20’s coverage of the Grazzini-Rucki case, and how they have, in her opinion, “aided and abetted an abuser“.
Malinda also offers insight into how the family court system fails to protect abuse victims and their children from harm, and instead misuses its power and authority to wrongfully take custody and place the children into the care of identified abusers; at great risk to the lives of the children involved.
Malinda warns that family court failures, and the attitudes of professionals who do not protect children from abuse, will cause devastation of families, significantly hurt children and may even contribute to murder. To offer an example, Malinda discusses the horrific murders committed by Nicholas Holzer, a dangerous abuser who was given custody by a family court and went on to murder his two children, parents as well as the family pet.
All parties to the case of Sandra Grazzini Rucki treated Sandra exactly the same as Juana Holzer a divorcing mother of two young boys.
Sandra and her children were clearly victims of domestic violence. David Rucki is a named identified abuser by his wife, children, restraining orders filed by neighbors and the police…all 20/20 needed to do was scratch the surface to find the truth of what David Rucki did, what he is and what he has gotten away with.
20/20 is FAKE NEW ORGANIZATION and has aided and abetted an abuser!
Read how children and domestic violence victims die in this country every week by order of the family law courts…
CASE IN POINT Juana Holzer warned Judge Thomas Anderle of Santa Barbara, CA that her ex husband Nicolas Holzer was violent with her and her boys. She said, Nicholas Holzer was a batterer. Juana stated that Nicolas Holzer had raped her and molested their young sons Sebastian and Vincent. Juana feared for the safety of her boys in the care of their father…BUT as a result, Juana lost custody of her boys to their abusive father.
Nicolas Holzer (Source: Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office)
This frightened mother reached out with the same disclosures to CASA, Child Abuse Advocates in Santa Barbara, Catholic Charities, and to a Therapy Center also in the Santa Barbara area…with no results or support. A court appointed evaluator, Dr. Gary Rick examined/investigated the parents. Dr. Rick did not heed Juana’s warnings or give any weight to her disclosures regarding her violent ex husband and the fear the boys expressed to their mother as they were forced by the court to be alone with their father.
In his findings and report to Judge Anderle, Dr. Rick named Nicolas Holzer as the better parent(!)..and Juana as a paternal “alienator.” Bingo! As thousands of safe, fit, loving parents…Juana was placed on supervised visitation, she was ordered under guard when she visited her sons because of her expressed concerns of abuse against her and her children. Juana could not afford to pay for monitored visitation, so she was cut off from her children. The court and it’s appointees interfered with and destroyed her relationship with with her sons!
In August of 2014 Nicolas Holzer, Dr. Rick’s favored parent… murdered his own parents and Juana’s sons. The sons, she could not protect. Nicholas Holzer knifed his parents and his sons to death in their beds while they slept… not even the family dog could survive Nicolas Holzer. He butchered the beloved family pet, an Australian Shepard.
All parties to the case were against the mother.. from the very beginning, the attitudes were similar to that of Ms. Elliot, Mr. Rucki’s attorney and 20/20.
NOTE: Juana Holzer is now suing ex-husband Nicholas Holzer, and the family trust, for wrongful death for the brutal murder of her two children.
Sept. 21, 2016 – Sandra Grazzini-Rucki prepared this statement to be read by her family law attorney after sentencing.
Sept. 21, 2016, Dakota County, Minnesota: A sign posted outside the courthouse by a religious group read. “When will the suffering end?
Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was sentenced today for her role in assisting her teenage daughters, who ran away from their paternal aunt, and the influence of their abusive father, in April 2013. A jury found Sandra guilty of 6 charges of felony deprivation of parental rights after Judge Karen Asphaug suppressed 75% of defense evidence. Sandra raised the affirmative defense, meaning her actions were taken to protect her children from imminent harm. The evidence suppressed supported claims of abuse. Other evidence was withheld from Sandra and her attorney by the State. Many claim this was a “rigged trial”.
Prosecuting Attorney Kathryn M. Keena sought an aggravated sentence against Sandra, which meant she would be given a much harsher sentence than what guidelines allow. Aggravated sentences are usually reserved for severe crimes like deviant sexual crimes, terrorism and repeat offenders. Keena had to drop her motion for aggravated sentencing because the charges did not meet the legal standards. Sandra has no prior criminal history and has complied with all the terms of her release while out on bond. She also has credit for 133 days spent in jail. Keena Drops Aggravated Sentence
Judge Karen J Asphaug
However, Judge Asphaug found a way to manipulate the legal system in order to give Sandra a much harsher sentence. The sentence includes 6 years of probation, double the usual sentence – Judge Asphaug ruled that paternal aunt Tammy Love is also a “victim” in this crime. In addition, Judge Asphaug stretched out the sentence over 6 years to include a 15 day sentence every year, commencing on November 19th when the runaway Rucki girls were found. Guidelines say the most time a defendant can serve for what Sandra is charged with is one year and one day but Judge Asphaug found a way to lengthen the sentence for 6 years. Taxpayers will bear the financial burden of this unnecessary expense; and a bed in jail will be taken by Sandra who poses no risk to society, while a more serious offender is denied what they deserve.
Judge Asphaug also ruled that Sandra must pay several heavy fines. The law states that if the fines are not paid the judge can order additional penalty, which may include jail time. The fines include: $10,000 restitution to the Crime Board to cover costs for reunification therapy with an abusive father (reunification therapy is controversial, and not widely approved of by psychologists), undetermined costs to pay for therapy for the children, and two $944 dollar fines plus $80 court fees. Not to mention the costs for probation. Court records indicate that Sandra is currently receiving state aid, she was formerly employed as a flight attendant until jailed and extradited to Minnesota. With 6 felonies on her record, Sandra will certainly have difficulty finding employment, and have difficulty maintaining employment if forced to go to jail for 15 days every year plus other restrictions imposed by the terms of release. That being said, it would be very unlikely that Sandra could afford the fines, which may result in further jail time beyond her sentence. Judge Asphaug also ordered Sandra to sentence to serve, and if she does not comply, she would face additional jail time beyond her sentence. In effect, an aggravated sentence was imposed on Sandra by Judge Asphaug and Prosecutor Keena, who found a way to manipulate the legal system to exact a punishment that goes well beyond the guidelines for this crime.
Assistant Dakota County Attorney, Kathryn Keena
Kathryn Keena admitted in court that she “made a promise” to S. Rucki and said to the teen that she “will not request any additional jail time and will keep that request”. Judge Asphaug interrupted and said the “Court did not engage in promises” and she is “learning of it for the first time today“. Making a “promise” with a vulnerable, traumatized teen is unethical and an abuse of power. It also gives the appearance that Keen bribed S. Rucki to testify – meaning she told S. Rucki that if you testify against your mother, I “promise” not to seek any additional jail time for her. Kathryn Keena unapologetically broke her promise to S. Rucki today. Keena has taken her place in the long line of Dakota County court officials who have violated the trust, and exploited the Rucki children.
Another interesting moment at sentencing was the lengthy “victim impact” statement read by David Rucki that included, “the woman in court today is not the woman I married 25 years ago – the woman I married suddenly became who she is now, a convicted felon“. Rucki elaborated about the pain he experienced in the 944 days his teen daughters went missing.
The police reports, CPS reports, witness statements, need for repeated reunification therapy because the children showed signs of fear towards Rucki (and raised abuse allegations) and even a letter from Dr. Gilbertson to the Court all illustrate the pain, terror and abuse Rucki inflicted on Sandra and the children. To believe that Sandra alienated not only her children but alienated so many people to turn against David Rucki is not only improbable but ridiculous.
When David is talking about his pain, and eliciting public sympathy, consider this…
“G was interviewed on 11/23/15. She reports dad was always screaming at mom. Neighbors called the house the ‘Scream House’. She thought her home situation was normal as she didn’t know any different… Her dad would stalk the house when they were with mom. He showed anger like ‘I’m gonna kill you’. She got no hugs growing up…” Rucki CPS Reports
“There are two prevailing emotional themes that these children speak to: One is fear of being in the presence of their father given what they allege to he being an angry and violent person. A second theme is anger over his alleged mistreatment...It is my opinion that the children’s fear issue needs to be addressed directly, and that can happen when there is exposure to the specifically feared object, situation, or person, i.e. father…
I would work with Mr. Rucki to have him present a certain structure and accounting of his own behavior while the family was intact that would acknowledge the volatile family history and express his empathy for the children’s painful memories..” Dr. Gilbertson Letter to GAL Julie Friedrich – Feb. 6, 2013
Dr. James Gilbertson, PhD
“Q (Kelli Coughlin): So how has it been since you’ve been back home?
Dakota County and the State of Minnesota has not only sentenced Sandra but their ruling has condemned every abused woman, and every abused child in family court. A clear message is being sent – if you talk about abuse, you will not be believed and you may lose custody, lose your home, lose your career and your freedom. This tragedy could have been prevented had Judge Knutson and the family court system appropriately responded to the concerns of abuse, and intervened early on. Instead the court’s actions enabled abuse to continue to the point where the home was so unsafe that 4 out of 5 children threatened to run away and two succeeded in running away.
After sentencing, attorney Michelle MacDonald (Sandra’s family law attorney) read a statement that Sandra had prepared ahead of time. The statement said, in part, “For the last 5 years, I have had to endure the loss of my children (all 5 are named). They alone are my world…And now I’m paying the price for what any parent would do for their children – protect them from harm.”
Sandra is now in custody; ironically it is only behind bars that she is truly safe from David Rucki. Sandra is expected to appeal.
Justice for Sandra Grazzini-Rucki and Children 