GUILTY PA - Four Young Men killed, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests*
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No trial date on the docket. Weirdly, the last date listed is for the hearings on 4/15, but down in the entries the judge granted a motion for transcripts of testimony from 4/25. It looks like they're still going back and forth on the pre-trial stuff as recently as 4/26.
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Good! He should have taken the plea deal....
Judge keeps Sean Kratz confession in evidence
Bucks County Judge Jeffrey L. Finley denied a motion filed by Sean Kratz’s attorney to suppress an April 25 confession made to law enforcement for his role in the alleged killing of three men in Solebury nearly two years ago.
A statement accused killer Sean Kratz made as part of an abandoned plea deal for his alleged role in killing three men in Solebury almost two years ago will remain as evidence in the case, Bucks County Judge Jeffrey L. Finley ruled Monday.
The judge denied the defendant’s motion to suppress the confession, stating Kratz, now 22, was told multiple times prior to the April 25, 2018, meeting that his statements to Bucks County detectives could be used against him if he refused the deal that would take the death penalty off the table.
[.....]
"By accepting the terms of the plea deal and agreeing to provide a truthful statement, the defendant also agreed to the Commonwealth’s condition that the statement could be used against him should he decide not to plead guilty,” Finley wrote in his opinion.
[.....]
Finley also denied a motion to use a jury from outside of Bucks County for Kratz’s trial, and quashed a motion from prosecutors to subpoena Kratz’s former attorney, Craig Penglase, for the trial.
[.....]
Court documents online did not indicate when Kratz’s next hearing will be held as of Monday afternoon.
Peruto seemed surprised to hear Finley made his ruling during a phone call with this news organization, but could not comment on the case due to a gag order.
Judge keeps Sean Kratz confession in evidence
Bucks County Judge Jeffrey L. Finley denied a motion filed by Sean Kratz’s attorney to suppress an April 25 confession made to law enforcement for his role in the alleged killing of three men in Solebury nearly two years ago.
A statement accused killer Sean Kratz made as part of an abandoned plea deal for his alleged role in killing three men in Solebury almost two years ago will remain as evidence in the case, Bucks County Judge Jeffrey L. Finley ruled Monday.
The judge denied the defendant’s motion to suppress the confession, stating Kratz, now 22, was told multiple times prior to the April 25, 2018, meeting that his statements to Bucks County detectives could be used against him if he refused the deal that would take the death penalty off the table.
[.....]
"By accepting the terms of the plea deal and agreeing to provide a truthful statement, the defendant also agreed to the Commonwealth’s condition that the statement could be used against him should he decide not to plead guilty,” Finley wrote in his opinion.
[.....]
Finley also denied a motion to use a jury from outside of Bucks County for Kratz’s trial, and quashed a motion from prosecutors to subpoena Kratz’s former attorney, Craig Penglase, for the trial.
[.....]
Court documents online did not indicate when Kratz’s next hearing will be held as of Monday afternoon.
Peruto seemed surprised to hear Finley made his ruling during a phone call with this news organization, but could not comment on the case due to a gag order.
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@cybervampira - I lost my PA person to look up court dates. They haven't been here since 5/7 - so was wondering - can you help me?
Bucks County - Sean Kratz - sorry no case #
TIA!
Bucks County - Sean Kratz - sorry no case #
TIA!
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Jury selection underway in trial of Sean Kratz, accused in Bucks slayings
Posted: Sep 16, 2019 11:55 AM EDT
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - Jury selection is getting underway Monday in the trial of Sean Kratz.
[.....]
Kratz rejected a plea deal in May that would've taken the death penalty off of the table.
Potential jurors were asked to express their views and beliefs surrounding the death penalty, a punishment Sean Kratz could face for allegedly being part of killing Mark Sturgis, Tom Meo, and Dean Finocchiaro.
[.....]
Jurors in this case will have two big decisions: if Kratz is guilty of first-degree murder, and if so what punishment fits the crime, life in prison or death.
Attorneys are still selecting jurors.
The trial is expected to start November 6.
Posted: Sep 16, 2019 11:55 AM EDT
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - Jury selection is getting underway Monday in the trial of Sean Kratz.
[.....]
Kratz rejected a plea deal in May that would've taken the death penalty off of the table.
Potential jurors were asked to express their views and beliefs surrounding the death penalty, a punishment Sean Kratz could face for allegedly being part of killing Mark Sturgis, Tom Meo, and Dean Finocchiaro.
[.....]
Jurors in this case will have two big decisions: if Kratz is guilty of first-degree murder, and if so what punishment fits the crime, life in prison or death.
Attorneys are still selecting jurors.
The trial is expected to start November 6.
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Monday, Sept. 16th:
*Jury Selection begins (@ ET) - PA - Jimi Taro Patrick (19), Mark R. Sturgis (22), Thomas C. Meto (21) & Dean R. Finocchiaro (18) murdered (July 5-9, 2017, Bucks County) – *Sean Michael Kratz (20) (CN’s cousin) indicted (7/14/17) on 3 counts of 1st degree murder, abuse of corpse, robbery, illegal poss. of weapon & conspiracy. Plead not guilty. No bail. DA will seek DP.
Court hearing from 5/16/18 thru 1/16/19 reference post #954 here:
PA - Four Young Men, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests - Dinardo Pled Guilty*
Trial set to begin 11/6/19
1/22/19 Update: Defense files they want jury from a different county.
3/28/19 Update: Trial has been cancelled. Instead will have a pretrial motions hearing on 4/15.
4/15/19 Update: Judge will decide in a few weeks whether to let his confession during plea deal to be heard by the jury.
5/13/19 Update: The judge denied the defendant’s motion to suppress the confession, stating Kratz, now 22, was told multiple times prior to the April 25, 2018. Finley also denied a motion to use a jury from outside of Bucks County for Kratz’s trial, and quashed a motion from prosecutors to subpoena Kratz’s former attorney, Craig Penglase, for the trial. 6/3/19: Defense files Petition to appeal Order denying motion to suppress.
9/16/19 Update: Jury selection underway. Trial start on 11/6.
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table)- plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
*Jury Selection begins (@ ET) - PA - Jimi Taro Patrick (19), Mark R. Sturgis (22), Thomas C. Meto (21) & Dean R. Finocchiaro (18) murdered (July 5-9, 2017, Bucks County) – *Sean Michael Kratz (20) (CN’s cousin) indicted (7/14/17) on 3 counts of 1st degree murder, abuse of corpse, robbery, illegal poss. of weapon & conspiracy. Plead not guilty. No bail. DA will seek DP.
Court hearing from 5/16/18 thru 1/16/19 reference post #954 here:
PA - Four Young Men, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests - Dinardo Pled Guilty*
Trial set to begin 11/6/19
1/22/19 Update: Defense files they want jury from a different county.
3/28/19 Update: Trial has been cancelled. Instead will have a pretrial motions hearing on 4/15.
4/15/19 Update: Judge will decide in a few weeks whether to let his confession during plea deal to be heard by the jury.
5/13/19 Update: The judge denied the defendant’s motion to suppress the confession, stating Kratz, now 22, was told multiple times prior to the April 25, 2018. Finley also denied a motion to use a jury from outside of Bucks County for Kratz’s trial, and quashed a motion from prosecutors to subpoena Kratz’s former attorney, Craig Penglase, for the trial. 6/3/19: Defense files Petition to appeal Order denying motion to suppress.
9/16/19 Update: Jury selection underway. Trial start on 11/6.
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table)- plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
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Cosmo DiNardo’s cousin headed for trial after again turning down plea deals in triple murder case
Cosmo DiNardo’s cousin and alleged co-conspirator Sean Kratz rejected prosecutors’ offers for a plea deal, offers extended after Kratz publicly balked at such a deal last year, and will stand trial on first-degree murder charges in less than two months.
[.....]
The news of those final plea offers by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office came on the first day of jury selection for Kratz’s murder trial, which is scheduled to begin Nov. 6 and last about two weeks.
[.....]
Of the first group of 50 potential jurors, only two said they had no knowledge of the case. Neither of them was selected.
Cosmo DiNardo’s cousin and alleged co-conspirator Sean Kratz rejected prosecutors’ offers for a plea deal, offers extended after Kratz publicly balked at such a deal last year, and will stand trial on first-degree murder charges in less than two months.
[.....]
The news of those final plea offers by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office came on the first day of jury selection for Kratz’s murder trial, which is scheduled to begin Nov. 6 and last about two weeks.
[.....]
Of the first group of 50 potential jurors, only two said they had no knowledge of the case. Neither of them was selected.
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Jury Selected For Upcoming Sean Kratz Trial - LevittownNow.com
Sept. 22, 2019
A jury has been picked to sit during the upcoming November trial for Sean Kratz, who is accused of taking part in the murders of three men at a rural Central Bucks County farm.
After five days last week at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown Borough, 12 jurors and six alternates were seated for the upcoming homicide trial for the 22-year-old Philadelphia resident.
The trial has been slated for Wednesday, November 6 at 9 a.m. before Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley, according to court dockets.
[.....]
At the upcoming trial, there are more than 10,000 pieces of photographic evidence and a number of audio and video records.
Sept. 22, 2019
A jury has been picked to sit during the upcoming November trial for Sean Kratz, who is accused of taking part in the murders of three men at a rural Central Bucks County farm.
After five days last week at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown Borough, 12 jurors and six alternates were seated for the upcoming homicide trial for the 22-year-old Philadelphia resident.
The trial has been slated for Wednesday, November 6 at 9 a.m. before Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley, according to court dockets.
[.....]
At the upcoming trial, there are more than 10,000 pieces of photographic evidence and a number of audio and video records.
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Monday, Nov. 4th:
*Final Pretrial Hearing (@ ET) - PA - Jimi Taro Patrick (19), Mark R. Sturgis (22), Thomas C. Meto (21) & Dean R. Finocchiaro (18) murdered (July 5-9, 2017, Bucks County) – *Sean Michael Kratz (20) (CN’s cousin) indicted (7/14/17) on 3 counts of 1st degree murder, abuse of corpse, robbery, illegal poss. of weapon & conspiracy. Plead not guilty. No bail. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin 11/6/19. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Court info from 5/16/18 thru 6/3/19 reference post #977 here:
PA - Four Young Men, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests - Dinardo Pled Guilty*
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
*Final Pretrial Hearing (@ ET) - PA - Jimi Taro Patrick (19), Mark R. Sturgis (22), Thomas C. Meto (21) & Dean R. Finocchiaro (18) murdered (July 5-9, 2017, Bucks County) – *Sean Michael Kratz (20) (CN’s cousin) indicted (7/14/17) on 3 counts of 1st degree murder, abuse of corpse, robbery, illegal poss. of weapon & conspiracy. Plead not guilty. No bail. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin 11/6/19. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Court info from 5/16/18 thru 6/3/19 reference post #977 here:
PA - Four Young Men, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests - Dinardo Pled Guilty*
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
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Kratz victim families: 'We want the truth'
The high-profile triple murder trial for Sean Kratz, cousin of Cosmo DiNardo, is set to begin Wednesday. Pretrial hearings begin Monday.
.....
Bucks County Judge Jeffrey L. Finley will hear any last-minute issues that either side wants to raise ahead of the trial Monday. Jury selection took place in September; the trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday and last about two weeks.
The high-profile triple murder trial for Sean Kratz, cousin of Cosmo DiNardo, is set to begin Wednesday. Pretrial hearings begin Monday.
.....
Bucks County Judge Jeffrey L. Finley will hear any last-minute issues that either side wants to raise ahead of the trial Monday. Jury selection took place in September; the trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday and last about two weeks.
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from article:
The 22-year-old appeared Monday in the Doylestown courtroom of Judge Jeffrey L. Finley for a hearing that cleared the way for trial after a long, contentious legal saga. Within days, he could be on the witness stand.
[.....]
Jurors were selected in September and opening statements are expected Wednesday morning. The trial is likely to last two weeks.
Kratz’s attorney, A. Charles Peruto Jr., argued Monday that Kratz’s previous counsel, Craig Penglase, acted as an “agent of the state” and against Kratz’s interests when he persuaded him to confess to the murders while he was “not of clear mind.”
At the hearing, Kratz seemed alert and involved with his defense. Peruto said he was planning to call Kratz to testify. “It’s the only shot we have in this case,” Peruto said.
[.....]
Earlier this year, Peruto argued unsuccessfully to have the tapes suppressed at trial.
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Wednesday, November 6th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am ET) - PA - Jimi Taro Patrick (19), Mark R. Sturgis (22), Thomas C. Meto (21) & Dean R. Finocchiaro (18) murdered (July 5-9, 2017, Bucks County) – *Sean Michael Kratz (20) (CN’s cousin) indicted (7/14/17) on 3 counts of 1st degree murder, abuse of corpse, robbery, illegal poss. of weapon & conspiracy. Plead not guilty. No bail. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin 11/6/19. Expected to last 2 weeks. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Court info from 5/16/18 thru 6/3/19 reference post #977 here:
PA - Four Young Men, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests - Dinardo Pled Guilty*
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am ET) - PA - Jimi Taro Patrick (19), Mark R. Sturgis (22), Thomas C. Meto (21) & Dean R. Finocchiaro (18) murdered (July 5-9, 2017, Bucks County) – *Sean Michael Kratz (20) (CN’s cousin) indicted (7/14/17) on 3 counts of 1st degree murder, abuse of corpse, robbery, illegal poss. of weapon & conspiracy. Plead not guilty. No bail. DA will seek DP.
Trial set to begin 11/6/19. Expected to last 2 weeks. 12 jurors & 6 alternates.
Court info from 5/16/18 thru 6/3/19 reference post #977 here:
PA - Four Young Men, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests - Dinardo Pled Guilty*
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
ugh
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LaurieMasonSchroeder
Verified account @LehighCourts
4h4 hours ago
Opening statements just completed in the trial of Sean Kratz in the murder of four bucks county men. Kratz’s attorney placed blame for the killings squarely on Cosmo DiNardo who he called a psychopath and lunatic.
Peruto said jurors will hear from DiNardo, though it was unclear if he’ll he a defense or prosecution witness.
“This was somebody preyed upon by a psychopath“ Peruto said of Kratz. He told the jury that his client was terrified the whole time he was with his cousin. “Every second he spent with Cosmo DiNardo he knew could be his last.”
As promised, Peruto brought up Kratz’s rejected plea deal, saying Kratz’s former court-appointed lawyer Craig Penglase steered Kratz wrong.
“Penglase takes this case and like Howie Roseman for the Philadelphia eagles he deals idiot over there for a future draft picks,” Peruto said, pointing to Kratz, Call the lawyer claims has an IQ of 79.
Perito told the jury that Cosmo called Kratz a “” for not taking part and after the killings DiNardo threatened to kill Kratz. “If you call anyone I will kill your family first and then you,” DiNardo told him.
Recess over. Prosecutors will now call witnesses.
Sean Kratz's trial is underway in Doylestown.
Defense: “Idiot” accused killer threatened by “psychopath” cousin Cosmo DiNardo
Kratz jury just left the courtroom to look at the ATVs.
Sean Kratz defense: ‘Idiot’ accused killer threatened by ‘psychopath’ cousin Cosmo DiNardo - The Morning Call
link: LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter
and that's all she has which was about 22 minutes ago. And I will finish up tomorrow morning.
Verified account @LehighCourts
4h4 hours ago
Opening statements just completed in the trial of Sean Kratz in the murder of four bucks county men. Kratz’s attorney placed blame for the killings squarely on Cosmo DiNardo who he called a psychopath and lunatic.
Peruto said jurors will hear from DiNardo, though it was unclear if he’ll he a defense or prosecution witness.
“This was somebody preyed upon by a psychopath“ Peruto said of Kratz. He told the jury that his client was terrified the whole time he was with his cousin. “Every second he spent with Cosmo DiNardo he knew could be his last.”
As promised, Peruto brought up Kratz’s rejected plea deal, saying Kratz’s former court-appointed lawyer Craig Penglase steered Kratz wrong.
“Penglase takes this case and like Howie Roseman for the Philadelphia eagles he deals idiot over there for a future draft picks,” Peruto said, pointing to Kratz, Call the lawyer claims has an IQ of 79.
Perito told the jury that Cosmo called Kratz a “” for not taking part and after the killings DiNardo threatened to kill Kratz. “If you call anyone I will kill your family first and then you,” DiNardo told him.
Recess over. Prosecutors will now call witnesses.
Sean Kratz's trial is underway in Doylestown.
Defense: “Idiot” accused killer threatened by “psychopath” cousin Cosmo DiNardo
Kratz jury just left the courtroom to look at the ATVs.
Sean Kratz defense: ‘Idiot’ accused killer threatened by ‘psychopath’ cousin Cosmo DiNardo - The Morning Call
link: LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter
and that's all she has which was about 22 minutes ago. And I will finish up tomorrow morning.