Letters from a new hampshire prison from the wrongfully convicted chad evans

In response to your question, neither Amanda or I ever went to the East Rochester Swimming pool.

Likewise, the "Celebrate NH Festival" in Hopkinton from June 7-11 doesn't ring any bells.

Good Idea though to try and hit on events that may bring back memories for me of that time period. No idea on the Rochester Chamber golf tournament on Tuesday June 6. As I got promoted from restaurant manager to supervisor, I had less to do with the Chamber of Commerce in Rochester. Even prior to that, my involvement was limited. Typically, this involved reaching out to them when I needed business references, demographic information, or there was something unusual going on in the restaurant.

You asked about McDonald's sponsored ads for missing children. Yes, some of the restaurants that sponsored these ads were my restaurants. Again, as I described earlier, we were a large company and in our main office we had our own advertising company called Arch Advertising. In 2000, Debbie Thompson was the lead of Arch advertising. She was responsible for· our hiring materials, newspaper ads, radio spots, following the set checklist we had established for restaurant grand openings, local P.O.P. (Point of Purchase) coordination of all corporate promotions, etc. Debbie would usually run it by the supervisor to see if we wanted to be involved in things, other things were important to Peter so they just happened. Still other things were dictated by the corporation. I had approved 100's of things in my time as a supervisor. It's hard to recall exactly which were the things I was directly involved in. I do recall being involved in this one however. Missing children has always been something that has bothered me from the time I first started seeing their faces appear on milk cartons.

I cannot imagine the torture of being a parent in this situation. As you may know McDonald's are masters of advertising, using every available opportunity to push their message. When you purchase something inside a McDonald's dining room it is served to you on a plastic tray. Upon each tray a paper liner is placed and your food on top. Most of the time, these tray liners have photos of McDonald's products, and are part of a national advertising promotion. At times those tray liners are what is called "local" which is a regional message. There were special tray liners made for missing children as well. I recall ordering as many of these as I could get for use in my restaurants.

I honestly don't know if any child was ever found from our combined efforts, but any small chance to help was worth it.

You asked about area high school graduations and if I attended any for the kids I had working for me. I attended a few graduations and graduation after parties for some of the students working for me when I was a restaurant manger. I also attended as many of their school events as time permitted. I had several kids that played on local basketball and football teams. I caught as many of those games as possible. A few of the names that come to mind are Mike Leon, Steve Skidds, and Matt Skidds. I also went to several schools and spoke to classes about life after school, employment

opportunities, what your community expects. In fact, in the early 90's I went to Becky and Travis's high school, Farmington, several times. It was a great opportunity to see some of the kids I recognized serving, give back a little and also get a few new employees. By the time I was a supervisor in 1999, I had over 200 people working for me and had less one-on-one "touch" with the crew people. I'd walk into a restaurant sometimes and only recognize half the crew. Especially in my Methuen II restaurant where there was a large Hispanic population. Around graduation time, donation requests were always up, I know at least in Rochester we would typically lend them our 5 gallon cooler and donate cups and High C syrup. At other times it was food items.

Thinking of all of this, I recall a cool promotion I came up with and started running with the Rochester High School football coach who was also the athletic director of like 30 years. His name escapes me right now but he and his wife were regular customers of mine. I took over in Rochester during the 1992 football season. Hugo Bolin and I worked out a thing where every time his kids won a game they would get a free Big Mac sandwich. We called it "The Big Mac Attack". I think that first year I had him hand them a coupon after victories. Athletes are usually some of the most popular kids in school. My goal was to change the entire culture at the Rochester McDonald's which had a hard time attracting good employees. These kids would bring their coupons in and I would quickly know who was the "coolest" kids of the bunch. Typically the biggest jock. I would talk to them about coming to work for me part time. After snagging a few of these kids, McDonald's became an ok place to work for all kids and the applications started to flow.

I'm responding to your three letters which contained the Strafford County Guidance Files you had from Gray Fitzgerald's work with me. As you mentioned, his writing was hard to read but I tried to absorb every page. At some point, after I write him, we may be able to get him to "decode" his notes. You did a pretty good job transcribing them. I think you got a few words or "ideas" incorrect, but I don't think they are that important at this point. I think you got the important stuff down, which in my mind was that I didn't hurt the kids.

You asked about the goals document where there was a "Tim" listed. I believe this was supposed to be Tom as in Tom Mikoski. You also asked about getting a housekeeper to help out with the cleaning duties at the house. I believe I did hire a housekeeper that came in for several weeks. It was Suzanne Lavalley, my former swing shift manager who had started her own cleaning company. She was a clean-and-neat expert in my restaurants, so I knew she'd do great with my house. The thing to keep in mind though was that after I started seeing Gray, Tristan had never come back. The plans I was making for a housekeeper, etc. was for when my family was there. I was thinking it would be a great way to relieve some of the stress between Tristan and I. With Just Kato and I living in the house I really didn't need a lot of help. I could keep it up. Then when Amanda moved in I wanted to avoid the mistakes of Tristan and I so I said, "listen, I'll get a cleaning person to come in once a week or so." Amanda said, "That's silly. I am here. I'm not working. I'll keep everything up." She really did too. I think what prompted the conversation with Amanda was I came home once early on and she was there and had cleaned the house top to bottom With Tristan and I the problem revolved around us growing up in different households and having different expectations and neither one of us being able to communicate effectively. I grew up in a house where my mother had everything spotless. I mean knicknacks were dusted once a week, etc. Back then, my dad worked 80 + hours a week on the rubbish route and my mom stayed home, took care of us and cleaned the house.

Then my mom would cane visit us in Rochester and I would get panicky if the house wasn't spotless. My mom wouldn't say much; she would just start cleaning. So that would get me thinking my wife wasn't doing a good job, etc. Tristan grew up in a house where a "spotless" house wasn't something that freaked her mom out. Often, to find a seat while visiting Tristan's parents, you had to move a pile of newspapers or whatever. The reality is, I got all stressed about it for nothing. A spotless house was my mom's thing, not mine. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to identify with this until

I started talking to Gray. The reality is Tristan was busy. She had two babies, she was working part time, going to school, etc. and I wasn't much help. Getting a housekeeper was such a simple solution, why didn't I think of it sooner. DAMN!!!

Overall, reading the notes mainly just brought me back to that time period. It reminded me of the hell I personally went through from that arrest in March to the 2nd episode in December. I had done a complete 180 after the March incident. I came home earlier. I worked my butt off and then got home to spend time with the family. I asked Tristan a lot more for her opinion, I would surprise her with little gifts, I tried to help a lot more around the house, and do little things like draw Tristan nice baths, etc. The thing was, looking back, Tristan's heart just wasn't really in it. The best thing I could have done was let her go but I was so afraid of losing my family, and becoming the best husband was my obsession. I became paranoid, and didn't trust her at all. This led to being controlling and thinking, "If we can just weather the bad patch..."

The March situation was terrible and I constantly beat myself up for it but I don't believe that was the reason Tristan's heart wasn't in it. Her heart let go before the incident. Tristan and I became very close for a time after the divorce and she shared with me during a visit early on in my prison sentence that she had been doing some self exploring and was finding she has a feeling of being trapped in our marriage. She had Brent very young and I think she just wanted to be free when our situation happened. We both agreed at one point that a marriage between us now would likely work because we had both grown so much.
August 31, 2010 (205)

You asked about the times that Amanda's brothers came to stay with us. I remember Josh being there at our house both times, but I only recall Scotty being at our house one time. Not to add more confusion, but thinking back and looking at the evidence, Josh may have been at our house three times. We have a dated photo of Kassidy at Water Country. Josh was there for this. I remember it and we know it because Jackie was asking for the photo that was taken of Josh and Kassidy together at the water park. I'm assuming if Scottie was there, Jackie would have asked for the photos of him as well. I just don't have a specific memory of it. Also, my mom stayed sometime in July and remembered seeing Josh there as he was staying. I believe she told me Scottie was not there. Mom specifically remembers Josh interacting with Kassidy. She told Amanda and I shortly after Josh's visit, "He was awful good with her." I recall that Josh was a very quiet, keep to himself, teen but his love for Kassidy was unquestionable. So, either Josh was there three times or he stayed once longer

than Scottie did on a combined visit. It is entirely possible that Amanda brought Scottie back to his mom as he was young, and hadn't been away from Jackie too often, and likely missed her tremendously. I'm actually thinking that is what happened. You asked about the weekends after Oct. 21st. that Kyle was in my care (with regards to the time with Kassidy spread sheet) I will consult the chronology and make my notes there as well as the spreadsheet when I return to you.

You asked here specifically about the time that Jeff brought Kassidy to our house after he had been shopping with her and concealed a bruise on her face with makeup. This question along with the above question about Scottie and Josh staying with us, are great questions to add to the questions for Amanda. It's hard to accurately come up with these answers because all of these things happened in basically a four week period, 10 years ago, and seemed to run together, even back then. I believe what I told you in a letter several months ago and what I am about 90% certain is accurate

is that this happened either after Jeff pulled the, "Mama's here" stunt with Kassidy where she excitedly walked off the edge of the bed, hitting her face on the floor, or the time he claimed he was changing her diaper, and left her pants around her ankles as he went to get a diaper, she rolled off the bed, face first, and smacked her head on the floor. I am pretty sure that this happened after the teasing event, because I recall being pretty disgusted that a grown man didn't have anything better

to do with his life than pick on a baby. I think I used the word "disgusted" when I first wrote to you in the event that you want to do OCR scan. In any event, all of this stuff happened after the Oct. 15th time frame. This I'm 99% certain of. Jeff returned Kassidy after an overnight stay I believe and told Amanda he put the makeup on because he had to go to Wal Mart. He would later tell someone, maybe the police? that he put the makeup on because he was trying to cover up bruises I had caused but this was not true. The bruises covered by the makeup occurred while Jeff was babysitting. I recall the Sunday after it happened I was watching football at Bruce's, I believe Jeremy was there and I vented to one or both of them that thought about being disgusted with him having nothing better to do than pick on a baby. Perhaps it was Sunday Oct. 22nd, the day before the golf outing. We know we were all together then. I'm not positive at this time and don't want to guess.

You asked about Tristan seeing Kassidy on Oct. 17th and noticing fading bruises and then seeing Kassidy again on the 30th of Oct. You weren't sure of your source of Oct.17th. Perhaps I can help. Could it have been that Tristan reported seeing Kassidy two weeks prior and noticing bruises and then again "yesterday" when she stopped over to the house, during her conversation with DCYF? In any event, this is what I recall. During one of those days that Tristan stopped at the house (Oct 17 & 30) and on one of those days I was in the garage doing something. As with everything, it was 10 years ago so hard to say for sure. Without a copy of Tristan's DCYF report handy I am not positive. In the report, she may have mentioned if I was there. I tend to think it was the 30th that I was there. Because I'm pretty sure I had Kyle that evening. Tristan was just showing up more and more at our house which frustrated Amanda and added stress between us. She wanted me to move on yet was showing up like this. She didn't want me, but it seemed like she didn't want anyone else to have me

either. As I've told you before, Tristan didn't care about any of the girls that I saw before Amanda, but she could tell that I really cared for Amanda and I think this bothered Tristan. I was getting the feeling then that Tristan was just trying to stir up shit between Amanda and I. In hindsight, and from some of the conversations I had with Amanda later on, Tristan was doing just that. Who knows, I might have had similar reactions if I had become aware of a new man living with Tristan. I recall being in the garage when Tristan asked me about the bruises on Kassidy's face. She had just come from the house where Amanda and Kassidy were. This likely accounts for the different excuses Tristan told DCYF she had received. (from Amanda and I) I recall being irritated that she was asking me. I recall at one point, perhaps then? telling Tristan that I was moving on with my life as she suggested and perhaps it was time that she stopped coming over so much. If it was the 30th that I said this to her, Tristan reported to DCYF the next day. Hmmmmmm.

I have often wondered if Tristan was contacting DCYF to be spiteful. Tristan and I were very much able to communicate by then and she had no fear of me. I don't think for a minute that Tristan thought it was me bruising Kassidy. It just wasn't in my character, in spite of what happened between her and me, and she knew that. I just honestly believe she wanted Amanda gone and thought if she stirred up shit, I wouldn't think Amanda was worth it. In any event. Kassidy was bruised, I had caused some of it, and Tristan did report it to DCYF and if they had done their jobs, it may have been embarrassing and I may have gotten into some trouble, but Kassidy would likely still be alive! No matter what her motivation, it was good that Tristan made that call to DCYF.

Tristan was not at our house on Oct. 31st. I drove the 5 miles or so to her mom's house and we "Trick or Treated" with the boys there. Tristan's mom lived in a neighborhood with houses all around and we obviously didn't at our house in Rochester.

You asked who Derek Bennett is. I didn't really know his girlfriend. Derek was the next door neighbor of Bruce Aube as they were growing up. Derek was several years younger than Bruce growing up and in fact, was a senior and the star player of the Rochester High School football team during my first year in Rochester. It wasn't until several years later that I met Derek. He used to come over and watch football from time to time with us at Bruce's. More so after he graduated from UNH. He went camping with us at least once that I can recall. We were all together at Bruce's parents' land in Berlin early 2000. Me, Amanda, Bruce, Travis, Jason, Tom Urrutia, Derek and his girlfriend, Bruce's parents, Terry, Bruce's younger brother, Derek's mom. We had a blast, campfires, wiffle ball, running through the woods. Not my best weekend socially, I was on probation and 100 miles away from Rochester so I took advantage of no surprises from probation officer and stayed intoxicated pretty much the entire weekend. I was a happy drunk that weekend but a drunk nonetheless. I did anything for shock value or to get a laugh out of my friends.

As I've always told you, I was the guy that didn't need to drink but when I did, I could put away more than anyone. An example of doing some crazy stuff is all of us "kids" stayed up pretty late drinking by the fire. Bruce's parents and Derek's mom retired to the camper early. This was after drinking all the previous day. Of course, I polished off a 5th of whiskey myself and was the first one up in the morning. I went by the fire that had been started and Derek's mom was laughing and telling me I better give my liver a rest for the day. Half an hour later, everyone else was up and for effect I ate a bowl of Cheerios with a can of beer instead of milk. They were all hung over and I was raring to go. Everyone got a good laugh then or feigned disgust which of course, is what I was looking for. It actually was pretty gross. I can't imagine it set a good long term impression with Derek's mom. Derek was a good guy. Pretty laid back, an amazing athlete and not a hint of conceit about it. I really liked him. Didn't know him extremely well. He may be curious and look at website.

You asked about Kassidy and the gumball machine. Yeah. I remember how Kassidy loved that machine and its gum. We'd give her coins and help her turn the knob. She'd put her hand under it to catch the balls and smile. She'd say, "Gum, mama." Too cute.
August 31, 2010 (206)

You asked who the friend was that referred me to Strafford Guidance that I mentioned in my intake summary. I didn't have a friend that specifically referred me. I guess I was thinking that Tristan and I were going to go for marriage counseling at one time. Either that or I was just embarrassed that I had a problem, and needed to go so I used the anonymous "friend" as Marcia Brady had done years ago on an episode of the Brady Bunch.

I didn't voluntarily sign up for the 20+ week course for the Domestic Violence Program. That was court ordered. I didn't even know those courses existed prior to going to court. I didn't feel that I had gotten all that much out of that court-ordered group. It was a bunch of men sitting around in a circle, support group style, talking about their relationships. It was mostly a bitch session. I thought it was a bit of a joke. I voluntarily sought out and signed up for my sessions with Gray because I then really felt I might have a problem and wanted to learn more about myself. The last thing I wanted to do in the world was hurt someone I loved. After two sessions with Gray, I felt like I understood more than I ever had during the 6 months I spent in the DV group. I was finally starting to learn about some of the things that made me who I am, core values, and how to self evaluate. I don't know exactly how I ended up with Gray. Likely it was he was the therapist there with an opening or my issues were something that he specialized in. Whatever it was, it was perfect. I immediately felt comfortable with him. It felt safe to be open and honest. For a person seeking a counselor for the first time I imagine this is pretty important. Otherwise, you may be turned off to entire experience.

You asked about Cate Rafferty and Carol Taylor who had names on my forms. I don't remember them at all. I do remember Bruce Bissette. As part of the DV program we could attend DV groups in either Dover or Rochester. Scott Hampton, the same Scott Hampton that the state tried to get to testify against me at my trial, was the faciliator of the Dover group. Bruce Bissette facilitated the Rochester group. These two men couldn't have been more different. Scott was egotistical, condescending and loved to point out how bad we were. When you listened to Scott preach at us, you got the distinct impression that he had a room full of imaginary women sitting in the back

row. Bruce was just the opposite. Genuine, caring, overall nice...guy that talked to us rather than at us. Bruce it seemed was really concerned with helping us to change our thinking. I went to the first several groups in Dover but when I found out about the group led by Bruce in Rochester I quickly switched. Thereafter I only went to Dover when I couldn't make the Rochester group, or when I wanted to "double up." I had to attend a certain number of court-ordered sessions. I could go once or twice a week. I got some things out of Bruce's group, but should have been able to get more. I likely would have, if the group dynamics been a little different.

It seemed like many of the 15 or so guys were whiners and "victims". It got on my nerves to listen to the same stuff over and over from the same men. Every now and then someone would say something pretty profound and meaningful. I probably could have learned more also if I wasn't so arrogant about being there. I didn't belong there with these men. I was better than that! I guess it's like an alcoholic, you can't change until you know you have a problem. I needed to grow up.

Yes, I contacted Strafford Guidance Center after my second episode with Tristan. This scared the shit out of me. This was unprovoked. I was drunk and the months of effort I had been putting in with what I believed was no return from her came to a head. I loved this woman. Why couldn't she choose our family over him?

I'm sure I scared her as well. I loved her and wanted my family. I didn't want to scare her or have her afraid of me. That was the first time I had ever seen fear in Tristan's eyes. That was enough for me. I knew then that I would never go there with her again. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to prove it. With me it's always some event that effects change. (As I have previously described with Alex Patel and Larry Lane).

I'll hold off on guessing about the NY baseball game now that you have new photos.
August 31, 2010 (207)

It's great that Janet Lane came through for us again. Michael Dubois is in fact the CPA that I used to do my taxes in Rochester. I will get the letter out as you requested. It would be great if you do actually get a chance to meet her sometime.

You may get a better sense about Larry from her. We never had ill words, and were very close for 8 years. Even if he feels I'm guilty, I wish he would tell me. At least then I might understand why and be able to correct some fact he has wrong. The silence from him is a killer.

You asked for the name of Travis's sister. The sister that I was friends with and that lived in my house was Tiffany Green. They have different dads and because of this different last names. She was a nice girl. I remember the last time I hung out with her and Travis together was in the summer of 2001. I had to go to Rochester for a visit with the kids and ended up spending the night at my old house. We had a few beers that night and I remember at one point her and Rene Gagne hugging me and saying, "Oh Chad, you are the sweetest guy. How could the police have gotten this so wrong?" I believe Tiffany and Renee both intended to write letters to Judge Nadeau on my behalf but never got around to it. By the way, Rene and Travis were not a couple. Renee lived in one of the bedrooms at the house for a short while with Tiffany and Travis after I left.