PA - Grace Packer, 14, murdered, Abington, 4 July 2016 *Killer died*
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LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 5m5 minutes ago
BREAKING - Jacob Sullivan hearing off for the rest of the day. He'll return tomorrow to finish guilty plea. #GracePacker
BREAKING - Jacob Sullivan hearing off for the rest of the day. He'll return tomorrow to finish guilty plea. #GracePacker
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Jacob Sullivan guilty plea delayed until Friday due to medical issue (with clip)
Feb 21, 2019
"DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - Another medical issue Thursday morning is again delaying the guilty plea of the man charged with raping and killing 14-year-old Grace Packer.
Jacob Sullivan was in Bucks County court Thursday morning to finalize his plea deal, but he was taken to the hospital around 11 a.m. for high blood pressure. WFMZ's Jamie Stover said his blood pressure was 220/140.
The hearing was postponed until 9 a.m. Friday.
Sullivan pleaded guilty Tuesday, but before the deal could be completed he was rushed to the hospital with high blood pressure. The hearing was set to continue Wednesday but winter weather postponed it again.
Jury selection for Sullivan's sentencing hearing was also set to continue Thursday, but it's unclear when that will happen. In March, a jury will determine whether Sullivan will be sentenced to life in prison or death...."
http://www.wfmz.com/news/southeaste...lea-delayed-again-by-medical-issue/1033064475
Feb 21, 2019
"DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - Another medical issue Thursday morning is again delaying the guilty plea of the man charged with raping and killing 14-year-old Grace Packer.
Jacob Sullivan was in Bucks County court Thursday morning to finalize his plea deal, but he was taken to the hospital around 11 a.m. for high blood pressure. WFMZ's Jamie Stover said his blood pressure was 220/140.
The hearing was postponed until 9 a.m. Friday.
Sullivan pleaded guilty Tuesday, but before the deal could be completed he was rushed to the hospital with high blood pressure. The hearing was set to continue Wednesday but winter weather postponed it again.
Jury selection for Sullivan's sentencing hearing was also set to continue Thursday, but it's unclear when that will happen. In March, a jury will determine whether Sullivan will be sentenced to life in prison or death...."
http://www.wfmz.com/news/southeaste...lea-delayed-again-by-medical-issue/1033064475
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Friday, February 22nd:
*Plea Deal Hearing (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
8/13/18 Update: Motions to continue trial filed by defense; Judge grants motion re scheduled for 1/14/19.
1/7/19 Update: Trial has been moved (again!). Today (1/14/19) is a pretrial hearing which will run thru 1/18/19. Jury selection begins 2/19, final pretrial hearing on 3/4, trial set to begin 3/14.
1/18/19 Update: Trials will be separate. Packer will follow Sullivan’s trial. Calling the images “emotionally disturbing,” Bucks County Judge Diane Gibbons on Friday denied prosecutors’ requests to show close up photos of Grace Packer’s dismembered remains to a jury. Gibbons also denied a defense request to delay the trial pending appellate court rulings on challenges to Pennsylvania’s death penalty statute. Next Jury selection on 2/19.
2/19/19 Update: Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Sara Packer will also plead guilty & serve a life sentence for her daughter’s slaying. A jury will now be seated to determine whether Sullivan should get the death penalty, or serve life in prison for the 2016 killing. Packer is expected to testify in the penalty phase of Sullivan’s trial. During his plea, his blood pressure spiked & he was rushed to the hospital. Judge says they have to start all over again w/the plea. Judge continues hearing to 2/21. Jury selection will begin next month (no date given).
2/21/19 Update: Sullivan’s guilty plea hearing in the rape & murder of Grace started up again in Bucks County Court on Thursday, only to be suddenly halted once again when Sullivan’s blood pressure spiked and he had to be rushed by ambulance to a hospital. Sullivan’s attorneys to request a jury from outside Bucks County hear his case. Gibbons still must rule on that outstanding motion. The judge said she’ll see how jury selection goes before making her ruling. Though Sullivan has already admitted that he raped & killed Gracel, Judge Diane Gibbons must complete the hearing & accept his plea before a jury can be seated to determine if Sullivan should face the death penalty or life in prison. Returning tomorrow, 2/22 for finish plea hearing.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
Packer’s trial will follow Sullivan’s.
2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.
*Plea Deal Hearing (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
8/13/18 Update: Motions to continue trial filed by defense; Judge grants motion re scheduled for 1/14/19.
1/7/19 Update: Trial has been moved (again!). Today (1/14/19) is a pretrial hearing which will run thru 1/18/19. Jury selection begins 2/19, final pretrial hearing on 3/4, trial set to begin 3/14.
1/18/19 Update: Trials will be separate. Packer will follow Sullivan’s trial. Calling the images “emotionally disturbing,” Bucks County Judge Diane Gibbons on Friday denied prosecutors’ requests to show close up photos of Grace Packer’s dismembered remains to a jury. Gibbons also denied a defense request to delay the trial pending appellate court rulings on challenges to Pennsylvania’s death penalty statute. Next Jury selection on 2/19.
2/19/19 Update: Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Sara Packer will also plead guilty & serve a life sentence for her daughter’s slaying. A jury will now be seated to determine whether Sullivan should get the death penalty, or serve life in prison for the 2016 killing. Packer is expected to testify in the penalty phase of Sullivan’s trial. During his plea, his blood pressure spiked & he was rushed to the hospital. Judge says they have to start all over again w/the plea. Judge continues hearing to 2/21. Jury selection will begin next month (no date given).
2/21/19 Update: Sullivan’s guilty plea hearing in the rape & murder of Grace started up again in Bucks County Court on Thursday, only to be suddenly halted once again when Sullivan’s blood pressure spiked and he had to be rushed by ambulance to a hospital. Sullivan’s attorneys to request a jury from outside Bucks County hear his case. Gibbons still must rule on that outstanding motion. The judge said she’ll see how jury selection goes before making her ruling. Though Sullivan has already admitted that he raped & killed Gracel, Judge Diane Gibbons must complete the hearing & accept his plea before a jury can be seated to determine if Sullivan should face the death penalty or life in prison. Returning tomorrow, 2/22 for finish plea hearing.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
Packer’s trial will follow Sullivan’s.
2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.
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LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 3h3 hours ago
Though Sullivan has already admitted that he raped and killed the former Allentown girl, Judge Diane Gibbons must complete the hearing and accept his plea before the penalty phase begins and a jury determines if Sullivan should face the death penalty or life in prison.
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 19m19 minutes ago
BREAKING Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete and has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. @mcall
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 17m17 minutes ago
It took three days and more than 75 hours for the plea to be complete because Sullivan had to go to the hospital twice for high blood pressure. Today, Judge Gibbons had a nurse in the courtroom to monitor his blood pressure. #GracePacker
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 14m14 minutes ago
New information revealed today in court was that Packer and Sullivan lured Grace into the car to take her to the scene of the rape and murder by telling her she was in trouble with police for posting naked photos. #GracePacker
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 13m13 minutes ago
Prosecutors also said that Sullivan’s credit card receipts show that he purchased zip ties and kitty litter. He told police that they bound Grace with zip ties after the rape, and packed her body in kitty litter. #GracePacker
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 9m9 minutes ago
With nurse in courtroom, judge accepts Jacob Sullivan's guilty plea in rape and murder of Grace Packer
With nurse in courtroom, judge accepts Jacob Sullivan's guilty plea in rape and murder of Grace Packer
"After twice being rushed to a hospital for high blood pressure spikes, Jacob Sullivan is back in Bucks County Court today to finish pleading guilty to the rape and murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer....
Sullivan pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including first-degree murder, rape of a child, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse. A jury will now be seated to decide if Sullivan should be sentenced to life in prison, or the death penalty...."
With nurse in courtroom, judge accepts Jacob Sullivan's guilty plea in rape and murder of Grace Packer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Though Sullivan has already admitted that he raped and killed the former Allentown girl, Judge Diane Gibbons must complete the hearing and accept his plea before the penalty phase begins and a jury determines if Sullivan should face the death penalty or life in prison.
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 19m19 minutes ago
BREAKING Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete and has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. @mcall
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 17m17 minutes ago
It took three days and more than 75 hours for the plea to be complete because Sullivan had to go to the hospital twice for high blood pressure. Today, Judge Gibbons had a nurse in the courtroom to monitor his blood pressure. #GracePacker
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 14m14 minutes ago
New information revealed today in court was that Packer and Sullivan lured Grace into the car to take her to the scene of the rape and murder by telling her she was in trouble with police for posting naked photos. #GracePacker
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 13m13 minutes ago
Prosecutors also said that Sullivan’s credit card receipts show that he purchased zip ties and kitty litter. He told police that they bound Grace with zip ties after the rape, and packed her body in kitty litter. #GracePacker
LaurieMasonSchroederVerified account @LehighCourts 9m9 minutes ago
With nurse in courtroom, judge accepts Jacob Sullivan's guilty plea in rape and murder of Grace Packer
With nurse in courtroom, judge accepts Jacob Sullivan's guilty plea in rape and murder of Grace Packer
"After twice being rushed to a hospital for high blood pressure spikes, Jacob Sullivan is back in Bucks County Court today to finish pleading guilty to the rape and murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer....
Sullivan pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including first-degree murder, rape of a child, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse. A jury will now be seated to decide if Sullivan should be sentenced to life in prison, or the death penalty...."
With nurse in courtroom, judge accepts Jacob Sullivan's guilty plea in rape and murder of Grace Packer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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12:40 PM 2/22/19@lsv7 - since we're in PA - is there a date for his jury selection to start? I did have 3/4, but that might have changed?
TIA!
tom schantz` on Twitter
BREAKING Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete and has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. @mcall
12:41 PM 2/22/19
Deanna Durante on Twitter
Guilty plea accepted in the case of Grace Packer. Jacob Sullivan says he raped and killed Grace. Sullivan told a judge he conspired with Sara Packer to kill 14 yr old Grace. @NBCPhiladelphia a jury will be selected next #GracePacker
2:23 PM 2/22/19
LaurieMasonSchroeder on Twitter
Jury selection is underway for Jacob Sullivan’s penalty phase. Once selected, jurors will return to the courthouse 3/14 to begin. #GracePacker
2:26 PM 2/22/19
Deanna Durante on Twitter
The first group of prospectove jurors brought into court. Judge says when it comes to Commonwealth v Jacob Sullivan. Told the penalty phase of this case will last two weeks. Sullivan has admitted raping and killing 14 yr old Grace Packer - the jury will decide life or death
4:06 PM 2/22/19
Deanna Durante on Twitter
One juror seared in Jacob Sullivan case - so far only three have been inside the court room judge plans to continue past 5pm as jury selection continues @NBCPhiladelphia
“Jury selection for the penalty phase is underway, as attorneys search for 12 people to decide whether Sullivan should be sentenced to life in prison, or the death penalty.
[SBM]
Jurors will be selected over the next week or two, and will return to the courthouse in Doylestown on March 14 for the penalty phase.
[SBM]” (all BBM)
With nurse in courtroom, judge accepts Jacob Sullivan's guilty plea in rape and murder of Grace Packer
So it apeears jury selection was already underway as of Friday with the penalty phase scheduled to start on March 14.
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Monday, February 25th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 2) (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
8/13/18 Update: Motions to continue trial filed by defense; Judge grants motion re scheduled for 1/14/19.
1/7/19 Update: Trial has been moved (again!). Today (1/14/19) is a pretrial hearing which will run thru 1/18/19. Jury selection begins 2/19, final pretrial hearing on 3/4, trial set to begin 3/14.
1/18/19 Update: Trials will be separate. Packer will follow Sullivan’s trial. Calling the images “emotionally disturbing,” Bucks County Judge Diane Gibbons on Friday denied prosecutors’ requests to show close up photos of Grace Packer’s dismembered remains to a jury. Gibbons also denied a defense request to delay the trial pending appellate court rulings on challenges to Pennsylvania’s death penalty statute. Next Jury selection on 2/19.
2/19/19 Update: Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Sara Packer will also plead guilty & serve a life sentence for her daughter’s slaying. A jury will now be seated to determine whether Sullivan should get the death penalty, or serve life in prison for the 2016 killing. Packer is expected to testify in the penalty phase of Sullivan’s trial. During his plea, his blood pressure spiked & he was rushed to the hospital. Judge says they have to start all over again w/the plea. Judge continues hearing to 2/21. Jury selection will begin next month (no date given).
2/21/19 Update: Sullivan’s guilty plea hearing in the rape & murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer started up again in Bucks County Court on Thursday, only to be suddenly halted once again when Sullivan’s blood pressure spiked and he had to be rushed by ambulance to a hospital. Sullivan’s attorneys to request a jury from outside Bucks County hear his case. Gibbons still must rule on that outstanding motion. The judge said she’ll see how jury selection goes before making her ruling. Though Sullivan has already admitted that he raped & killed Grace, Judge Diane Gibbons must complete the hearing & accept his plea before a jury can be seated to determine if Sullivan should face the death penalty or life in prison. Returning tomorrow, 2/22 for finish plea hearing.
2/22/19 Update: Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete & has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. Jury selection started for penalty phase of trial. Jury selection continues to 2/25. Trial for penalty phase will start 3/14 & should last about 2 weeks.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
Packer’s trial will follow Sullivan’s. 2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.
*Jury Selection continues (Day 2) (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
8/13/18 Update: Motions to continue trial filed by defense; Judge grants motion re scheduled for 1/14/19.
1/7/19 Update: Trial has been moved (again!). Today (1/14/19) is a pretrial hearing which will run thru 1/18/19. Jury selection begins 2/19, final pretrial hearing on 3/4, trial set to begin 3/14.
1/18/19 Update: Trials will be separate. Packer will follow Sullivan’s trial. Calling the images “emotionally disturbing,” Bucks County Judge Diane Gibbons on Friday denied prosecutors’ requests to show close up photos of Grace Packer’s dismembered remains to a jury. Gibbons also denied a defense request to delay the trial pending appellate court rulings on challenges to Pennsylvania’s death penalty statute. Next Jury selection on 2/19.
2/19/19 Update: Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Sara Packer will also plead guilty & serve a life sentence for her daughter’s slaying. A jury will now be seated to determine whether Sullivan should get the death penalty, or serve life in prison for the 2016 killing. Packer is expected to testify in the penalty phase of Sullivan’s trial. During his plea, his blood pressure spiked & he was rushed to the hospital. Judge says they have to start all over again w/the plea. Judge continues hearing to 2/21. Jury selection will begin next month (no date given).
2/21/19 Update: Sullivan’s guilty plea hearing in the rape & murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer started up again in Bucks County Court on Thursday, only to be suddenly halted once again when Sullivan’s blood pressure spiked and he had to be rushed by ambulance to a hospital. Sullivan’s attorneys to request a jury from outside Bucks County hear his case. Gibbons still must rule on that outstanding motion. The judge said she’ll see how jury selection goes before making her ruling. Though Sullivan has already admitted that he raped & killed Grace, Judge Diane Gibbons must complete the hearing & accept his plea before a jury can be seated to determine if Sullivan should face the death penalty or life in prison. Returning tomorrow, 2/22 for finish plea hearing.
2/22/19 Update: Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete & has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. Jury selection started for penalty phase of trial. Jury selection continues to 2/25. Trial for penalty phase will start 3/14 & should last about 2 weeks.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
Packer’s trial will follow Sullivan’s. 2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.
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Since I can't find any updates on "what" happened yesterday, I shall continue to post until I do! 
Tuesday, February 26th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 3) (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
Court hearings for 8/13/18 thru 2/21/19 reference post #757 here: GUILTY - PA - Grace Packer, 14, murdered, Abington, 4 July 2016 *Arrests*
2/22/19 Day 1: Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete & has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. Jury selection started for penalty phase of trial. Jury selection continues to 2/25. Trial will start 3/14 & should last about 2 weeks.
2/25/19 Jury selection Day 2: no info yet. Continues to 2/26.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.
Tuesday, February 26th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 3) (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
Court hearings for 8/13/18 thru 2/21/19 reference post #757 here: GUILTY - PA - Grace Packer, 14, murdered, Abington, 4 July 2016 *Arrests*
2/22/19 Day 1: Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete & has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. Jury selection started for penalty phase of trial. Jury selection continues to 2/25. Trial will start 3/14 & should last about 2 weeks.
2/25/19 Jury selection Day 2: no info yet. Continues to 2/26.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.
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Potential jurors in Grace Packer homicide must digest shocking crime, keep an open mind
February 25, 2019
"Juror No. 1 met all the requirements:
She agreed to listen to the facts and follow the law. She had no religious, moral or philosophical objections to the death penalty. And she had not read or seen any news stories on the rape and murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer.
Lawyers in the Bucks County courtroom where Jacob Sullivan will learn his fate next month seemed pleased Friday to have chosen a juror so quickly. But they would need to interview 58 more people before selecting juror No. 2 Monday.
In an unusual process, a jury is being seated with the limited task of deciding between two potential sentences for Sullivan — life in prison or the death penalty.
They will not be asked to determine if Sullivan is guilty, since the 46-year-old Horsham man pleaded guilty last week to first-degree murder, rape of a child, kidnapping, abuse of corpse and other crimes.
During this penalty phase, which is set to begin March 14, prosecutors will lay out a streamlined version of their case, then Sullivan’s attorneys will present evidence about Sullivan’s mental health, his background, and their theory that Sullivan’s girlfriend and Grace’s adoptive mother, Sara Packer, masterminded the killing....
Lawyers must agree on 18 jurors — 12 regular panelists and six alternates — before the case can proceed....
Death sentences are automatically appealed. Currently, there’s a moratorium on executions in Pennsylvania and Gov. Tom Wolf’s Task Force and Advisory Committee on Capital Punishment is expected to release the results of a study on the death penalty soon. No one has been executed in Pennsylvania since 1999.
As jury selection continued Monday, even some jurors who promised to keep an open mind and consider both sides’ arguments before deciding Sullivan’s sentence seemed to waver after hearing details of Grace’s death.
“They would really have to convince me of the mitigating circumstances,” one woman told the judge. “At this point I really don’t know if I could.”"
Potential jurors in Grace Packer homicide must digest shocking crime, keep an open mind
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 25, 2019
"Juror No. 1 met all the requirements:
She agreed to listen to the facts and follow the law. She had no religious, moral or philosophical objections to the death penalty. And she had not read or seen any news stories on the rape and murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer.
Lawyers in the Bucks County courtroom where Jacob Sullivan will learn his fate next month seemed pleased Friday to have chosen a juror so quickly. But they would need to interview 58 more people before selecting juror No. 2 Monday.
In an unusual process, a jury is being seated with the limited task of deciding between two potential sentences for Sullivan — life in prison or the death penalty.
They will not be asked to determine if Sullivan is guilty, since the 46-year-old Horsham man pleaded guilty last week to first-degree murder, rape of a child, kidnapping, abuse of corpse and other crimes.
During this penalty phase, which is set to begin March 14, prosecutors will lay out a streamlined version of their case, then Sullivan’s attorneys will present evidence about Sullivan’s mental health, his background, and their theory that Sullivan’s girlfriend and Grace’s adoptive mother, Sara Packer, masterminded the killing....
Lawyers must agree on 18 jurors — 12 regular panelists and six alternates — before the case can proceed....
Death sentences are automatically appealed. Currently, there’s a moratorium on executions in Pennsylvania and Gov. Tom Wolf’s Task Force and Advisory Committee on Capital Punishment is expected to release the results of a study on the death penalty soon. No one has been executed in Pennsylvania since 1999.
As jury selection continued Monday, even some jurors who promised to keep an open mind and consider both sides’ arguments before deciding Sullivan’s sentence seemed to waver after hearing details of Grace’s death.
“They would really have to convince me of the mitigating circumstances,” one woman told the judge. “At this point I really don’t know if I could.”"
Potential jurors in Grace Packer homicide must digest shocking crime, keep an open mind
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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I'm guessing this is still going on....
Wednesday, February 27th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 4) (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
Court hearings for 8/13/18 thru 2/21/19 reference post #757 here:
GUILTY - PA - Grace Packer, 14, murdered, Abington, 4 July 2016 *Arrests*
2/22/19 Day 1: Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete & has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. Jury selection started for penalty phase of trial. Jury selection continues to 2/25. Trial will start 3/14 & should last about 2 weeks.
2/25/19 Jury selection Day 2: One juror picked. Continues to 2/26.
2/26/19 Jury selection Day 3: no info yet.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.
Wednesday, February 27th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 4) (@ 9am ET) - PA - Grace Packer (14) (July 4, 2016, Abington; found Oct. 31, 2016 by hunters) – only for *Jacob Patrick Sullivan (44/now 46) (Bf of amom) arrested (Jan. 2017) indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). No bond. DA seeks DP.
Trial was to start March 26, 2018, was delayed until Sept. 17, 2018, delayed again to 1/14/19 & again to 3/14/19.
Court hearings for 8/13/18 thru 2/21/19 reference post #757 here:
GUILTY - PA - Grace Packer, 14, murdered, Abington, 4 July 2016 *Arrests*
2/22/19 Day 1: Jacob Sullivan’s guilty plea is finally complete & has been accepted by Judge Gibbons. Penalty phase to begin, after jury selection. Jury selection started for penalty phase of trial. Jury selection continues to 2/25. Trial will start 3/14 & should last about 2 weeks.
2/25/19 Jury selection Day 2: One juror picked. Continues to 2/26.
2/26/19 Jury selection Day 3: no info yet.
*Sara Packer (42/now 44) adopted "mom" arrested (Jan. 2017) & indicted on 1st degree murder, rape conspiracy, kidnapping & abuse of corpse (dismemberment). Plead not guilty. No bond.
2/19/19 will plead guilty. As part of a plea deal, Packer will avoid the death penalty & be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty for Sullivan.