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Kathleen Mikula death by force case profile photo

Kathleen Mikula

Case from Johnstown, PA dated Jun 15, 1980

Victim Details

Kathleen Mikula

Female

Johnstown

PA

1980-06-15

16

Kathleen

Mikula

06/21/2026

Case Description

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Kathleen Mikula, a 16-year-old girl from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, tragically lost her life on June 15, 1980. She was walking across the Washington Street Bridge with her boyfriend, Arthur Dale Smothers, when they were both shot by a sniper. Kathleen, who was white, and Arthur, who was black, were innocent victims of a racially motivated attack.

The perpetrator, Joseph Paul Franklin, a white supremacist and serial killer, later confessed to the murders. Franklin had a long history of viole ...
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Links to Additional Sources (7)

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  • Joseph Paul Franklin - Wikipedia
  • Death nears for couple's killer | Local News | tribdem.com
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    Forum Posts (3)

    Hey everyone,
    I've been reading about the devastating case of Kathleen Mikula and Arthur Dale Smo... ...Read More
    09/01/2024
    Does anyone have more information about the memorials dedicated to Kathleen Mikula? I recently came ... ...Read More
    12/19/2023
    Hey everyone,
    I've been reading about the tragic case of Kathleen Mikula and just can't stop thin... ...Read More
    05/27/2023
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