Patler had recently been ejected from the American Nazi Party after a long and strenuous relationship with both Rockwell and other party members. He would later be convicted for the killing on largely circumstantial evidence, given the minimum sentence and serving fewer than twenty years in prison. At the time of this writing, he is alive and a free man, again going by Patsalos. He maintains he did not slay Rockwell. Most accept his guilt, although there are some who agree with Patler. Amongst others sensing conspiracy, a handful of ex-ANP members believe Rockwell's killing was an inside job led by his second-in-command Matt Koehl, to martyr him while seizing control of the party. One may speculate. Besides the killer, Rockwell was the shootings only eyewitness.
Rockwell spent the latter portion of his life riding some of the most extreme political positions of his day, so it's no surprise even the trial for his killing was grounds for explosive antics. When Patler entered the courtroom for the hearing, he was attacked by Eric Ray Wenberg, who lunged at him shouting, "Patler, you filthy swine! You assassin!" Wenberg was grabbed by six policemen and dragged from the courtroom, still shouting, "You filthy assassin! Long live the American Nazi Party! Long live Matt Koehl!" Wenberg was a Nazi from Australia on a tourist visa who was staying at ANP headquarters. Later in the day, he was found guilty of contempt of court, given the maximum sentence, and deported the following month.
Historic info sourced from For Race & Nation: George Lincoln Rockwell and the American Nazi Party by William H. Schmaltz.
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| John Patler, Press photo front |
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| Patler, Press photo rear with clipping |
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| Eric Ray Wenberg Wire Photo |
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