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

by Kathleen P. Munley, Paul R. Mazzoni

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.

326 pages, Hardcover

First published May 7, 2015

Reviews

[MB · Rating 4 out of 5]

When William Wright kidnapped, sexually assaulted and then brutally murdered two friends, thirteen year old Paul Freach and and twelve year old Edmund Keen an entire community was changed forever. This was indeed “the end of the innocence”. Times were different back then, and that time will never return to us. This book tells what happened in the sequence of the events. This is a must read for those who are locally from the area, and there will also be a local history book talk followed by a signing at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine Street, Scranton, PA 18509.
http://www.lackawanna.edu/upcoming-ev...

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Straightforward stories, such as this one, are boring and this was no exception -- PLUS, because the perp was deemed deranged we don't even get a mug shot. Weak.

[Natalie Fox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know the family of the boys involved in this. I think it's disgusting that someone is making money off of this. It's disrespectful especially to the family to raise this up in this small community where the lives of 2 boys were taken. I hope the authors apologize with deep sympathy to the family members involved during the writing of this book. Writing to make money it's disgusting. I hope they atleast donated it to a fund for mental health or the family members of victims.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in ninth grade at South Scranton Junior High when this happened to two boys from my school. I remember every newspaper article vividly, and despite the repetitive nature of the writing, found this book took me back to the horror of those days, the arrest, and the trial.

[Joseph Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in Olyphant, PA not far from Scranton. I was in fourth grade when the murders occurred, so I was in fear of being abducted as well. I remember seeing police artist sketches of two suspects. When William Wright was arrested, the newspaper linked him to being the woman in the sketch. I had always wondered about the male suspect for which there was a police artist sketch. This book explained it all. Now I know.