"The origins of the King Philip's War started with the discovery of John Sassamon's body and the subsequent trial of his suspected murderers. His body was slipped under the ice on the pond and found the following spring."  "a praying Indian who served as an interpreter to the colonists, as well as an aide to Metacomet, chief of the Wampanoag Confederacy."...


"In late 1674, Sassamon was assassinated. A mixed jury of colonists and Indian elders convicted three Pokanoket men for his murder, and they were executed. These events helped spark the conflict known as King Philip's War, in which the English defeated the Wampanoag and ended armed resistance by the Native Americans of southeastern New England."


"In June 1675, the English colonists charged and tried three Pokanoket Indians for the murder of Sassamon. Those Pokanoket who maintained the innocence of their three men were outraged that the Puritans had executed them. Both sides were becoming increasingly distrustful and frustrated at the other. Within a few days, more violence occurred and the war began."