|
|
| 'At Close Range' Killer Dies In Prison |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 08/19/2002 |
|
One of suburban Philadelphia's most notorious murderers, whose killing spree became the basis for the movie 'At Close Range,' died of natural causes in prison, authorities said. Bruce Johnston Sr., 63, had been serving six life sentences in Graterford Prison for murdering several of his criminal cohorts and his son's girlfriend. The Chester County slayings were the basis for the 1986 film starring Sean Penn and Christopher Walken, whose character was based on Johnston. Johnston was taken to Mercy Suburban General Hospital on August 12 for complications associated with liver disease and was pronounced dead two days later, officials said. Johnston and his brothers operated a multimillion-dollar burglary ring in the 1970s, stealing everything from cigarettes to tractors, authorities said. In 1980, he and two brothers were convicted of killing three young members of their crime ring and were sentenced to life in prison. They were also convicted of killing the girlfriend of Johnston's son, police said. According to police, Bruce Johnston Jr., who survived the attempt on his life, had begun talking about the gang because he believed his father had raped his girlfriend, police said. The girlfriend and the other victims were killed so they wouldn't cooperate with authorities, police said. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think