The Freach and Keen Murders : The True Story of the Crime That Shocked and Changed a Community Forever

Kathleen P. Munley and Paul R. Mazzoni give an insider’s look the Commonwealth v. William J. Wright trial, looking at how a murderer was able to slip through the cracks of the criminal justice system. This book captivatingly and successfully weaves together the events of an unforgettable crime and a trial that changed a region forever.

In November 1973, William J. Wright, a former patient and trustee of the Farview State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, brutally murdered two teenage boys, Edmund Keen and Paul Freach, in Lackawanna County, a region that took great pride in not only its history, but its reputation as a friendly, family-oriented, safe place to live. It was a place where families could leave their doors unlocked, and be confident about allowing their children to play and explore outdoors. Yet all that would change in an instant. The brutal murders of these two boys forever altered the way people thought of this region and the safe neighborhoods they had come to take for granted. Kathleen P. Munley and Paul R. Mazzoni tell a story of unbelief, anger, and fear, but also courage and fortitude. They delve deep into the Commonwealth v. William J. Wright trial, looking inside the investigation, the trial, and how the public was impacted by this unthinkable crime. In captivating detail, the authors weave together the events of this devastating crime and remind us that, even in the pleasant light of day, evil can and does exist, and one must always be on guard.