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Thread: Sean Kratz and Cosmo DiNardo Sentenced to LWOP in 2017 PA Multiple Murders

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Sean Kratz and Cosmo DiNardo Sentenced to LWOP in 2017 PA Multiple Murders


    Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz


    Prosecutors seek death penalty for slayings

    THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

    DOYLESTOWN — Prosecutors have moved to hold onto their ability to seek the death penalty against two cousins in the deaths of four men found buried on a Philadelphia-area farm, although attorneys have said a deal with one defendant would take capital punishment off the table.

    The Bucks County prosecutor’s office on Wednesday filed notice of aggravating circumstances in the charges against Sean Kratz and Cosmo DiNardo, both 20, in the slayings last summer.

    Prosecutors said capital punishment would be justified because there were multiple murders and the slayings were committed during commission of a felony and drug felonies.

    Lawyers have said DiNardo acknowledged his part in the slayings and told authorities where to find the body of the fourth victim in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek the death penalty.

    District Attorney Matt Weintraub termed Wednesday’s filing as “covering his bases” in case circumstances change.

    “We have to make sure we have the right to proceed in seeking the death penalty in case he reneges on his deal,” Weintraub said. “Whether he honors his end of the agreement is up to him.”

    The new filing comes a day before both defendants are scheduled to appear for formal arraignments on homicide, robbery and conspiracy charges, which is the deadline for filing notice of aggravating circumstances needed to seek the death penalty.

    The charges stem from the July shooting deaths of 19-year-old Dean Finocchiaro, 22-year-old Mark Sturgis, 21-year-old Tom Meo and 19-year-old Jimi Taro Patrick, whose bodies were found after a grueling, five-day search in sweltering heat and pelting rain that centered on the farm in Solebury, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia.

    Authorities said in court documents that DiNardo said he lured the four men to the sprawling farm owned by his parents under the guise of marijuana transactions before killing them there.

    All four were shot and three were set on fire and placed in an oil drum that was buried.

    The body of Patrick was found in a separate grave after DiNardo told police where to look, authorities said. Kratz is charged in three of the homicides.

    His lawyer has vowed a vigorous defense.

    http://www.altoonamirror.com/uncateg...-for-slayings/

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Cousins charged in shooting deaths of 4 men plead not guilty

    By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE
    The Associated Press

    DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — Two cousins charged in the deaths of four young men found buried deep on a sprawling Pennsylvania farm say they didn't kill anyone.

    Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz on Thursday pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of murder and corpse abuse in the July killings.

    DiNardo is charged in four of the deaths. Kratz is charged in three. Neither cousin spoke during their separate arraignments in Doylestown.

    Authorities this week filed court documents that will allow them to pursue the death penalty for both 20-year-olds.

    DiNardo's attorneys have said he has admitted killing the men and told authorities where to find one of the bodies in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek capital punishment.

    Officials say all four victims were shot.

    http://www.whig.com/article/20171214/AP/312149724#

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend Mike's Avatar
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    Our DA better not go for the DP here. Waste of time and money, he will never be executed.

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    The Latest: Lawyer 'Disappointed' by Death Penalty Decision

    Lawyer for man charged with cousin in deaths of 4 young men shot and buried on Pennsylvania farm says he's 'disappointed' by prosecutors certifying his case for capital punishment when it's cousin who's 'admitted killer'.

    U.S. News & World Report

    DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on two cousins charged with killing four young men found shot and buried on a Pennsylvania farm (all times local):

    4:15 p.m.

    A lawyer for a man charged with his cousin in the deaths of four young men found shot and buried on a Pennsylvania farm says he's "disappointed" by prosecutors certifying his case for capital punishment when it's his cousin who's the "admitted killer."

    Lawyer Niels C. Eriksen Jr. represents Sean Kratz. Kratz and his cousin Cosmo DiNardo have pleaded not guilty to murder and corpse abuse in the July killings. DiNardo is charged in four deaths, Kratz in three.

    DiNardo's attorneys say he admitted killing the men and told authorities where to find a body in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek capital punishment. Prosecutors said Thursday they're "on track" to reach a deal with DiNardo.

    Kratz's lawyer says he looks forward to "challenging the evidence."

    One victim's family says Kratz and DiNardo should be put to death.

    ___

    2:20 p.m.

    Two cousins charged in the deaths of four young men found buried deep on a sprawling Pennsylvania farm say they didn't kill anyone.

    Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz on Thursday pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of murder and corpse abuse in the July killings.

    DiNardo is charged in four of the deaths. Kratz is charged in three. Neither cousin spoke during their separate arraignments in Doylestown.

    Authorities this week filed court documents that will allow them to pursue the death penalty for both 20-year-olds.

    DiNardo's attorneys have said he has admitted killing the men and told authorities where to find one of the bodies in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek capital punishment.

    Officials say all four victims were shot.

    https://www.usnews.com/news/best-sta...nalty-decision

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Lawsuit blames parents of Cosmo DiNardo in Bucks County quadruple murder case

    BY ANDREW PARENT
    PhillyVoice.com

    The family of one of four young men killed on a Bucks County farm in a gruesome murder case over the summer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit blaming the parents of one of the alleged killers.

    Attorneys representing the family of Mark Sturgis filed the civil suit in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday. It names defendants Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz, as well as DiNardo's parents, Sandra and Antonio DiNardo.

    It alleges that although Cosmo DiNardo had a history of mental illness, his parents failed to secure the Smith and Wesson 357 he allegedly used to kill Sturgis. The gun was owned by and registered to DiNardo's mother.

    The suit, the first civil suit filed in connection with the murder case, also alleges that Antonio and Sandra DiNardo created a dangerous situation by allowing DiNardo to access the farm and the equipment allegedly used in the killings or to hide the bodies.

    "With this lawsuit, the heartbroken parents of Mark Sturgis intend to hold accountable everyone responsible for the horrific death of their son, not just those who pulled the trigger," Attorney Robert Ross said in a statement. "This includes those who negligently and carelessly permitted either of the accused to gain access to firearms and equipment used in these heinous crimes."

    An attorney for DiNardo's parents told the Inquirer that the couple had done "everything humanly possible" to help their son and had been making progress before the slayings. Kratz's criminal attorney, Craig Penglase, told the newspaper that the suit "added unnecessary complication" to the criminal case.

    DiNardo, 20, is charged with killing Sturgis, 22; Jimi Taro Patrick, 19; Dean Finocchiaro, 19; and Tom Meo, 21, last July. Kratz is charged with three of the murders.

    The cousins pleaded not guilty last week to a litany of charges tied to their alleged roles in the murders and attempted coverup.

    Prosecutors made a deal with DiNardo over the summer to spare his life in exchange for his cooperation in helping police find the body of Patrick, who was buried alone on a separate section of the property. But Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub last week still filed notices of aggravating circumstances in the case, which paves the way for prosecutors to possibly seek the death penalty against both DiNardo and Kratz, if convicted.

    Weintraub said the move would give his office the option of seeking capital punishment, should DiNardo fail to "uphold his end of the bargain."

    Each of the victims allegedly was gunned down on the DiNardo family's 90-acre farm after meeting DiNardo for an alleged marijuana deal. DiNardo and Kratz are then accused of placing three of the bodies in a pig roaster and lighting it on fire before burying the bodies elsewhere on the farm.

    http://www.phillyvoice.com/lawsuit-b...e-murder-case/

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Cosmo DiNardo, Sean Kratz plead not responsible in quadruple homicide case in Bucks County

    The Kaplan Herald

    Cosmo DiNardo made his first courtroom appearance since he confessed to killing four men over the summer at his family‘s sprawling farm in bucolic Bucks County.

    DiNardo, 20, of Bensalem, was formally arraigned Thursday on charges that he killed Jimi Tar Patrick, 19; Dean Finocchiaro, 19; Mark Sturgis, 22; and Tom Meo, 21, in Solebury Township last July.

    When DiNardo in September, he did so from jail, appearing via video.

    But the confessed killer was escorted in handcuffs into Bucks County Courthouse for Thursday afternoon‘s arraignment hearing at the Bucks County Courthouse in Doylestown. So was his cousin, Sean Kratz, 20, of Philadelphia, who is charged with killing three of the men.

    In back-to-back hearings, both men entered not guilty pleas to a litany of charges for their alleged roles in the gruesome quadruple homicide and attempted coverup, including criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, robbery with the intent to inflict serious bodily harm and various conspiracy offenses.

    Each of the victims on the DiNardo family farm after meeting DiNardo for an alleged marijuana deal. DiNardo and Kratz allegedly placed three of the bodies in a pig roaster and lit it on fire before ultimately burying the bodies elsewhere on the 90-acre farm.

    DiNardo and Kratz appeared in person and separately before Judge Jeffrey L. Finley in a large courtroom filled with the victim‘s families, their attorneys and news reporters.

    Finley informed both defendants that they have the right to file a mental health or alibi defense. DiNardo previously had been involuntarily admitted into a mental health facility.

    The families of the victims mostly remained composed as Kratz – and later DiNardo – entered the courtroom for their hearings. Some dabbed their eyes with tissues, but most simply stared straight ahead.

    “It‘s all just very, very disturbing,” civil attorney Robert Ross, who is representing the Sturgis family, told reporters after the hearings. “They‘re just horrific acts and obviously the families are all just extremely heartbroken.”

    Cosmo DiNardo, 20, of Bensalem and his cousin, Sean Kratz, 20, of Northeast Philadelphia, are charged in the murders of four men at the DiNardo family farm in Solebury, Bucks County.

    ‘NO PUNISHMENT IS TOO HARSH‘

    Civil attorneys for Meo and Sturgis, however, called for the death penalty.

    “The Finocchiaro family supports the death penalty – period,” attorney Tom Kline said. “They believe there is no punishment that is too harsh to bring justice to the individuals who caused their son‘s death. They are fully supportive of the death penalty – make no mistake about it.”

    On Wednesday, District Attorney Matthew Weintraub filed notices of aggravating circumstances in the case – paperwork that paves the way for prosecutors to possibly seek the death penalty against both DiNardo and Kratz.

    But Weintraub said that paperwork was filed out of obligation and should not necessarily be viewed as his intent.

    Last summer, prosecutors made a deal with DiNardo to spare his life in exchange for helping investigators locate the body of Patrick, who was buried alone on a remote section of the DiNardo property.

    The other three victims were buried in a common grave that investigators discovered during a five-day search that drew .

    “We honor our agreements,” Weintraub said. “Should Mr. DiNardo decide to uphold his end of the bargain, we will not seek the death penatly against him. However, if we uncover additional evidence or he seeks to go to trial, that‘s his prerogative.

    “We‘ll be prepared and we will then, at that time, seek the death penalty.”

    Weintraub said his office has not determined whether to seek the death penalty against Kratz.

    He also pushed back against the civil attorneys who called for the death penalty, saying the families supported his decision to remove the death penalty from the table against DiNardo.

    “They‘re not going to have any influence, whatsoever, on our decisions and how we seek justice in this case,” Weintraub said. “We will continue to consult with the families directly, not through their attorneys. We have been doing that on a very regular basis and we‘re comfortable with the posture of our relationship with each and every one of those four boys‘ families.”

    DiNardo entered the courtoom Thursday wearing thick-rimmed glasses and a forest green jacket with orange prison pants. At one point, he glanced back toward the full courtroom.

    DiNardo spoke loudly and clearly when speaking to Finley. By contrast, Kratz – who had his arraignment first – spoke in hushed tones when responding to the judge.

    Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub chats with reporters after arraignment hearings on Thursday afternoon for Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz.

    HOLIDAYS WITHOUT LOVED ONES

    “Although this court hearing was about DiNardo and Kratz, they are undeserving of even a second of our dialogue today,” said civil attorney Andrew Duffy, who represents Meo‘s estate. “This is about a family that just went through Thanksgiving and had to look across the table at an empty chair, a mother who is not going to be buying her son Christmas presents in the next couple weeks.”

    According to prosecutors, DiNardo shot and killed Patrick, of Newtown Township, with a .22-caliber rifle on July 5 while they were on a remote section of his family‘s farm. He then allegedly used a backhoe to dig a 6-foot hole and bury Patrick‘s body.

    Two days later, DiNardo and Kratz allegedly killed Finocchiaro, of Middletown Township, after setting up a marijuana deal.

    DiNardo claims Kratz shot Finocchiaro twice with a .357 handgun as he left a barn on the farm, according to charging documents. Kratz alleges that DiNardo shot Finocchiaro.

    Later that day, DiNardo and Kratz allegedly shot and killed Meo, of Plumstead Township, and Sturgis, of Pennsburg, Montgomery County, on the farm. DiNardo told investigators that he ran over Meo‘s body with the backhoe to ensure he was dead.

    The men then loaded the three bodies into a pig roaster and poured gasoline on them, according to charging documents. They allegedly set the bodies on fire and left the farm.

    DiNardo and Kratz returned the next afternoon and used the backhoe to dig out a massive common grave, burying the tank with the bodies inside, according to charging documents.

    Police began searching the DiNardo farm the next day. That commenced that started as a missing persons case and culminated with the unearthing of the four bodies.

    Investigators used cadaver dogs to find the bodies of Finocchiaro, Meo and Sturgis, who were buried inside the pig roaster. But they needed DiNardo‘s assistance to find Patrick‘s body.

    DiNardo and Kratz are being held without bail at Northampton County Prison.

    https://kaplanherald.com/2018/01/02/...-bucks-county/
    Last edited by Moh; 01-26-2018 at 06:58 AM. Reason: Left in photo captions without the photos.

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Trial date set for Cosmo DiNardo, Sean Kratz in Solebury killings

    By James O’Malley
    The Bucks County Courier-Times

    Cosmo DiNardo and his cousin Sean Kratz are set for trial in November in the slayings of four men on a Solebury farm.

    A judge in Bucks County has issued an order laying out a timetable for ongoing trial proceedings of accused-killer cousins Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz.

    DiNardo, of Bensalem, and Kratz, of Northeast Philadelphia, both 20, are scheduled for trial Nov. 7, with jury selection set to start Oct. 29, says the order filed Thursday and signed by President Judge Jeffrey L. Finley.

    The pair faces multiple counts each of homicide, conspiracy, robbery and other charges stemming from the July killings of four men at a Solebury farm owned by DiNardo’s family.

    Finley’s order schedules the next status conference in the case for April 26 and sets a deadline of May 11 for the filing of any pretrial motions. Hearings on those motions will begin Sept. 12.

    Kratz and DiNardo both are accused of shooting, killing and burying friends Mark Sturgis, 22, of Pennsburg, Montgomery County, and Thomas Meo, 21, of Plumstead, as well as Dean Finocchiaro, 19, of Middletown.

    DiNardo allegedly lured the men to the farm July 7 by agreeing to sell them large amounts of marijuana. After days of digging during an investigation that captured widespread media attention, police found the three men about a week after they were killed, buried together in a shared grave.

    DiNardo also is charged with employing a similar ruse in July to kill 19-year-old Jimi Taro Patrick. His body was found buried some distance from the others.

    In an interview with police, DiNardo claimed direct responsibility for three of the killings, according to both prosecutors and defense attorneys. He allegedly told investigators it was Kratz who shot Finocchiaro, while Kratz pinned the killing on his cousin.

    DiNardo’s confession helped him strike a deal with prosecutors allowing him to avoid the death penalty in exchange for cooperation. The District Attorney’s Office, however, filed notice of aggravating factors in the case in December, preserving their right to pursue the capital punishment should DiNardo choose to go to trial.

    http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.c...ebury-killings

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    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Families of 4 men found buried on Pa. farm sue suspect’s parents

    Cosmo DiNardo’s attorney has said he confessed to the July killings to be spared the death penalty

    By The Associated Press
    WKBN.com

    PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The families of four young men killed and buried on a Pennsylvania farm are now suing the parents of the man who confessed to the killings.

    Lawsuits filed Monday by families of three of the victims allege that Cosmo DiNardo’s parents should have stopped their then 20-year-old son from having access to guns since he was barred from possessing firearms due to an involuntary commitment to a mental health facility.

    The family of the fourth victim filed a similar lawsuit in December

    A lawyer representing Antonio and Sandra DiNardo was out of the country and unavailable for comment.

    Cosmo DiNardo’s attorney has said he confessed to the July killings to be spared the death penalty. Prosecutors say they’re on track to reach a deal with him. The attorney didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.

    http://wkbn.com/2018/03/05/families-...pects-parents/
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

  9. #9
    Senior Member CnCP Legend CharlesMartel's Avatar
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    Cosmo DiNardo, Sean Kratz due back in court May 16

    By James O’Malley
    The Bucks County Courier-Times

    Alleged multiple-murderers Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz are set for new hearings in Bucks County Court as Kratz eyes “potential resolution.”

    Accused killer cousins Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz are expected back in court next week for separate hearings.

    Court records show DiNardo is scheduled for a 10 a.m. appearance May 16 at a “miscellaneous hearing” before President Judge Jeffrey L. Finley, with Kratz set for his own proceeding at 2 p.m.

    Bucks County First Assistant District Attorney Gregg Shore, a senior prosecutor assigned to the cases from the beginning, declined Monday to divulge specifics about what is expected to occur at the pretrial proceedings in Doylestown Borough.

    “A lot of things can happen at miscellaneous hearings,” he said.

    http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.c...n-court-may-16
    In the Shadow of Your Wings
    1 A Prayer of David. Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

  10. #10
    Senior Member CnCP Legend Mike's Avatar
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    Good we aren't wasting money on this scum.

    Pennsylvania man sentenced to life in prison for quadruple murders

    By David DeKok
    Reuters

    HARRISBURG, Pa. - One of two Pennsylvania men charged in the killings of four young men lured to a farm with the promise of marijuana was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder, while the other suspect rejected a plea deal.

    Shackled and wearing an orange jump suit in a Doylestown, Pennsylvania, courtroom, Cosmo DiNardo apologized to the families of the four victims, three of whom authorities said were shot dead and burned in a pig roaster by DiNardo and his cousin, Sean Kratz.

    "I just want the poor families to know, I am so sorry," DiNardo, 21, said in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. "If there is anything I could do to take back what happened, I would do it."

    But Judge Jeffrey Finley sentenced DiNardo to four consecutive life terms, calling his apology "false and insincere" in light of his taped description of his crimes.

    "After committing these offenses, you two went out and had a cheese steak and then went on as if nothing had occurred," Finley said.

    DiNardo confessed to murder to avoid the death penalty, according to Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub. He entered a not-guilty plea in December, but later changed it to guilty as part of a deal with prosecutors.

    In addition to first-degree murder, DiNardo pleaded guilty to robbery, abuse of corpse, and possession of instruments of crime.

    Kratz, 21, of Philadelphia, on Wednesday rejected an offer from prosecutors to plead guilty to one count of 3rd degree murder in return for a sentence of 59 to 118 years in prison. Prosecutors said they will put Kratz on trial for first degree murder and seek the death penalty.

    The state has not executed anyone in nearly 20 years and in 2015 Democratic Governor Tom Wolf placed a moratorium on all executions because of questionable prosecutions in the past.

    The bodies of three victims - Dean Finocchiaro, 19, of Middletown Township; Mark Sturgis, 22, of Pennsburg; and Thomas Meo, 21, of Plumstead Township - were found in a common grave at DiNardo's family's farm in Solebury Township in July 2017.

    DiNardo later led authorities to the nearby buried body of the fourth victim, Jimi Patrick, 19, of Newtown. DiNardo was charged with killing Patrick, but Kratz was not.

    All four victims were shot after being lured to the farm last July with the belief that DiNardo would sell them marijuana, according to court documents.

    The families of the victims have filed wrongful death lawsuits against DiNardo's parents and their construction company, saying he should not have had access to guns because of prior mental health issues.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/two-penns...100240150.html

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