by Laurel | February 7th, 2014
Just a personal note on the Erat case. Obviously I found it interesting enough to have followed the news about the case. There were a number of Erat siblings, and at least two of them, including Julius, were said to have attended Williston Academy. Adolph Erat, also indicted in the intent to fraud case died in the 1930’s. Julius seems to have recovered and had, from what I can tell, a successful career and died about thirty years ago. He married and did have at least one child, and though he lived in the area for most of his life, Julius died elsewhere and for this reason (privacy of his child, possibly still living) I am not publishing his obituary.
Despite the drama and sensational elements in this case, I ultimately think this case seems, to me, a situation where youth prevailed over sensibility. Sometimes smart young people make stupid, not well thought out decisions, and this seems like one. So despite the highly flawed plan, I do applaud Julius Erat for toughing out the legal system, making reparation and ultimately living a good, successful life — not always an easy accomplishment in this modern world.
