The Murder
(Original Caption) Erie, Pennsylvania: William Jackson Prater, in a white coat, is surrounded by security as he is led to Erie county courthouse. Prater, accused of the murders of United Mineworkers insurgent Joseph ‘Jack’ Yablonski, his wife, and daughter, took the stand in his own defense.
Sadly, Joseph Yablonski never fulfilled that promise. On December 31 of 1969, three hitmen sneaked into his home while he and his family slept. They shot and killed Yablonski, as well as his wife, Margaret, and their daughter, Charlotte. Yablonski woke up in time to realize what was going on and tried to grab his gun before being shot down.
Yablonski’s son, Kenneth discovered the bodies, and thousands of miners went on strike when they heard the news. They were sure that Boyle had been involved in the murders, and they were right. Boyle had paid $20,000 to organize the crime, but police wouldn’t discover this until a few years later.