Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots | PART 3
This is part 3 in the series, "Joli Truelson: Connecting the Dots," which examines the devastating impact of a flawed investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department into the 1972 slaying of 16-year-old Joli Truelson – and her family’s renewed fight for answers in the wake of a killer’s confession. Joli Truelson was picked up on the evening of July 3, 1972 in Uptown Minneapolis by a man driving a newer model, gold-colored, two-door vehicle. Her body was discovered 15 hours later in Minnehaha Creek, four miles away. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of her head, insinuating that she was running away from her attacker. Critical evidence was thrown away, including the possible murder weapon. Since then, her case has gone cold. Joli Truelson’s brother, though, always thought her death could be linked to a similar crime: the death of 25-year-old Mary Schlais in 1974. This episode features audio from Miller's arrest for Schlais' murder -- and audio from his sentencing trial. To reach Trisha Taurinskas, email ttaurinskas@forumcomm.com