GUILTY PA - Four Young Men killed, 18-22, Bucks Co., 5-9 July 2017 #8 *arrests*

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LaurieMasonSchroeder
‏Verified account @LehighCourts
9h9 hours ago

There were so many helicopters and drones flying over Cosmo DiNardo's Solebury farm, police call the FAA and asked them to clear the airspace, so they wouldn't broadcast live footage of the bodies as they were unearthed.

link: LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter



that is all she has for tweets.

Unfortunately, I can not read the article:

The Morning Call - We are currently unavailable in your region


If someone here reading can "see" what it says re trial - please post!
 
Thursday, November 7th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 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*
11/6/19 Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. Jury has been taken to see the ATVs. Trial continues on 11/7.
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
 
Here's a fairly good article on opening statements.

Kratz defense points to DiNardo as killer

.....
n their opening statements, Kratz’s defense team described him as “not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree,” and as a man “under duress” and terrified of his “psychopath” cousin, who attorney A. Charles Peruto said threatened Kratz’s life and his family if he reported the crimes. The defense contends DiNardo, not Kratz, killed Finocchiaro.

Peruto also said Kratz’s former attorney Craig Penglase forced an “involuntary” and false confession that the jury will hear in the trial. Penglase was removed from the case last year after he admitted to leaking recordings of Kratz and DiNardo speaking to investigators to a television station.

Peruto said that the taped video statements by Kratz and DiNardo will reveal that Kratz, then 100 pounds lighter, was being pressured to confess.


List of who testified also in the article. I'll have those updated on my notes tonorrow! :)
 
For 11/7:

LaurieMasonSchroeder
‏Verified account @LehighCourts
19h19 hours ago

First break this morning in the Sean Kratz trial in Doylestown. Jurors this morning so absolutely grew some photos of the bodies of the three victims as they were unearthed on Cosmo Dinardo’s Solebury farm.

Forensic examiner Dr. Ian hood testified about the gunshot wound‘s each victim received as well as scorch marks on their skin from where the defendants allegedly poured gasoline on them and set them ablaze to hide evidence.

We also heard from a family friend of the DiNardo‘s and a DiNardo concrete yard employee. Both saw Kratz on the day of the killings and said he was not acting strangely or walking with a limp as the defense alleges.

The prosecution case is continuing. We are likely to see and hear video interviews of the defendants soon.

Jury sees photos of young men buried on Bucks County farm

Bucks County detective David Hanks is on the stand right now testifying about suspect Sean Kratz’s cell phone use during week 4 young men were slain on Solebury farm - The Morning Call

Sean Kratz trial wrapping up for the day. We had to turn off our phones inside the courthouse so just hearing now about the active shooter situation around the corner from the courthouse. DAs Office says it is contained to one home neighbors are sheltering in place.

DA Matt Weintraub came into the courtroom around 4:40 and spoke privately to the judge. When testimony ended, the judge told the jury there was a "police emergency" in the area, and told them to avoid the area.

link:
LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter
 
Friday, November 8th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 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, now (11/6/19) only to last 1 week. 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*
11/6/19 Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. Defense says Kratz will be testifying. State witnesses: Solebury Detective Cpl. John Koretzky (did initial search of property). Deputy Chief County Detective Mike Mosiniak. FBI Special Agent Mike Byrne. Melissa Meo (Tom Meo's mother). Jurors were escorted to an area below the courthouse to view an ATV that Kratz allegedly drove the night of Finocchiaro’s death. Trial continues on 11/7. DiNardo expected to testify later this week.
11/7/19 Day 2: State witnesses: Dr. Ian Hood (Forensic examiner). Family friend of the DiNardo‘s. A DiNardo concrete yard employee. Bucks County detective David Hanks. Trial continues to 11/8.
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
 
Defendant in quadruple murder trial was ‘preyed upon by a psychopath,’ lawyer says


not much new info.... here's another article on the trial. and re bold down below! LOL!

Mullane: At Kratz murder trial opening, Peruto keeps jury riveted


The scale of Sean Kratz’s crimes could be discerned in the courtroom seating arrangements.

To the far right were two short rows marked “DEFENDANT’S FAMILY.” Five people were there.

Across the room, to the far left, were seven rows of seats, each row marked, “VICTIMS’ FAMILIES.” There were 40 people there.
[.....]
Kratz, 22, at first plead guilty, too, but then flipped, and changed his plea to not guilty. He sat up front, close to a large screen showing bloody scenes from crime photos. He has cleaned up for his trial, his once rat-like appearance toned down with a fresh, short haircut and crisp dark suit and dress shirt. In a morning break, he seemed upbeat about things, chatting with his mother, a woman with pink-purple streaked hair and hard face. At one point, he lifted his hands and clasped them, the way you do in victory, or the hope of it.


A must read on how the defense Peruto presented his case!
 
for Nov. 8th:


LaurieMasonSchroeder
‏Verified account @LehighCourts
17h17 hours ago

Prosecutors could wrap up their case today.

First break in the Sean Kratz trial. Jurors are still watching video of Kratz’s interrogation by two County detectives. He continues to blame DiNardo.

Kratz told detectives that DiNardo told the victims they were going to have fun at the farm. “He talked about riding quads. He talked about shooting guns. He made it seem like he was gonna have this good time while he did this awful thing.“

At one point in the video Kratz tells detectives that he saw DiNardo roll one of the victims in a tarp down a ramp. Even when the detectives confront him with Photos saying that would not of been possible if he was sitting in the truck, as he claimed, he stuck to his story.

Sean Kratz comes clean about guns used in Bucks County killings when mom asks, video shows

Sean Kratz trial wrapping up for the day. The jury was told that Cosmo DiNardo will not be testifying. Apparently prosecutors served him a subpoena at the prison but he “refused to get on the bus.“ Kratz’s attorney was incredulous.

The latest from Doylestown:
In video, Sean Kratz comes clean about Bucks County killings; Cosmo DiNardo defies subpoena to testify

link: LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter



Well that didn't give much on "who" the witnesses were.... and IF the State rested.... hoping to find a recent article soon!


anyone here besides me?? :(
 
Niner said:
Here's a fairly good article on opening statements.

Kratz defense points to DiNardo as killer

.....
n their opening statements, Kratz’s defense team described him as “not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree,” and as a man “under duress” and terrified of his “psychopath” cousin, who attorney A. Charles Peruto said threatened Kratz’s life and his family if he reported the crimes. The defense contends DiNardo, not Kratz, killed Finocchiaro.

Peruto also said Kratz’s former attorney Craig Penglase forced an “involuntary” and false confession that the jury will hear in the trial. Penglase was removed from the case last year after he admitted to leaking recordings of Kratz and DiNardo speaking to investigators to a television station.

Peruto said that the taped video statements by Kratz and DiNardo will reveal that Kratz, then 100 pounds lighter, was being pressured to confess.


List of who testified also in the article. I'll have those updated on my notes tonorrow! :)
Click to expand...

Weird. What's the significance of throwing in he was 100 lbs lighter?
 
Tuesday, November 12th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 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 began on 11/6/19. Expected to last 2 weeks, now (11/6/19) only to last 1 week. 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*
11/6/19 Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. Defense says Kratz will be testifying. State witnesses: Solebury Detective Cpl. John Koretzky (did initial search of property). Deputy Chief County Detective Mike Mosiniak. FBI Special Agent Mike Byrne. Melissa Meo (Tom Meo's mother). Jurors were escorted to an area below the courthouse to view an ATV that Kratz allegedly drove the night of Finocchiaro’s death. Trial continues on 11/7. DiNardo expected to testify later this week.
11/7/19 Day 2: State witnesses: Dr. Ian Hood (Forensic examiner). Family friend of the DiNardo‘s. A DiNardo concrete yard employee. Bucks County detective David Hanks. And 4 other detectives (no names). And 2 others (no idea who). Trial continues to 11/8.
11/8/19 Day 3: Jurors watched video of Kratz’s interrogation by two County detectives where he confessed to the murders (April, 2018, 9 months after his first police interrogation where he denied killing any of the men). The jury was told that Cosmo DiNardo will not be testifying. Apparently prosecutors served him a subpoena at the prison but he “refused to get on the bus“. Kratz’s attorney was incredulous. Trial continues on Tuesday, 11/12.
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
 
LaurieMasonSchroeder
‏Verified account @LehighCourts
Nov 12

Defense portion of Sean Kratz trial set to begin in Bucks County murders, with or without Cosmo DiNardo

The Commonwealth has rested and the trail of Sean Kratz. Court today started with another testy exchange over who did or did not subpoena Cosmo DiNardo

It was clear that both sides could have called the 22-year-old Bensalem man to the stand, but both are trying to make it look like the other chose not to call him.

The commonwealths final witnesses were some of the victims family members. Jurors saw photos of the young men who were killed on the farm and Mark Sturgis’ mother described waiting at the farm while investigators unearthed his remains. “It was unbearable.”

After a brief recess the defense will begin its case.

A real shocker just now at the Sean Kratz trial in Doylestown. The defense just rested after less than an hour of calling witnesses. Kratz did not testify. Cosmo DiNardo was not called.

UPDATED: Defense rests without Sean Kratz testifying in trial of Bucks County murders; Cosmo DiNardo not called to stand

Closing arguments complete in the Sean Kratz capital murder trial. Kratz's attorney again made hay of the fact that prosecutors never called Cosmo DiNardo; First Assistant DA Gregg Shore urged the jury to concentrate on the evidence. "This is not the Cosmo DiNardo show."

Unable to get past the mountain of evidence against Sean Kratz, his lawyer turned the case into a circus starring Cosmo DiNardo, prosecutors said



Nov. 13 - 2 hours ago

Verdict possible today.

I'll post updates throughout the day:
Verdict possible today for Sean Kratz in killings of Bucks County men who went missing, found buried on farm


link: LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter



and I shall keep her tweet open - just in case a verdict comes in....
 
Wednesday, November 13th:
*Trial continues (Day 5)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 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 started on 11/6/19. Expected to last 2 weeks, now (11/6/19) only to last 1 week. 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*
11/6/19 Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. Defense says Kratz will be testifying. State witnesses: Solebury Detective Cpl. John Koretzky (did initial search of property). Deputy Chief County Detective Mike Mosiniak. FBI Special Agent Mike Byrne. Melissa Meo (Tom Meo's mother). Jurors were escorted to an area below the courthouse to view an ATV that Kratz allegedly drove the night of Finocchiaro’s death. Trial continues on 11/7. DiNardo expected to testify later this week.
11/7/19 Day 2: State witnesses: Dr. Ian Hood (Forensic examiner). Family friend of the DiNardo‘s. A DiNardo concrete yard employee. Bucks County detective David Hanks. And 4 other detectives (no names). And 2 others (no idea who). Trial continues to 11/8.
11/8/19 Day 3: Jurors watched video of Kratz’s interrogation by two County detectives where he confessed to the murders (April, 2018, 9 months after his first police interrogation where he denied killing any of the men). The jury was told that Cosmo DiNardo will not be testifying. Apparently prosecutors served him a subpoena at the prison but he “refused to get on the bus“. Kratz’s attorney was incredulous. Trial continues on Tuesday, 11/12.
11/12/19 Day 4: State witnesses: Mark Sturgis’ mother. Other family members (no names given). State rests. Defense called a few witnesses (no names given) Does not call Kratz to testify. Defense rests. Closing arguments don Jury will start deliberations tomorrow, 11/13.
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
 
for Nov. 13th:

LaurieMasonSchroeder
‏Verified account @LehighCourts
17h17 hours ago

BREAKING Sean Kratz jurors have begun deliberations. 11:07

Kratz jurors have been deliberating for an hour. They have quite a few charges to consider.

Reporters camped out for the Sean Kratz verdict at the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown.

EJRU2cNWwAAl4yo.jpg



It sounds like the Kratz jury has a question.

Pretty interesting questions from the Kratz jurors. They asked “can we convict of multiple counts of murder? Are murder one and murder two exclusive or can we have a guilty vote on both.” The answer to both questions is yes.

The jury also wants to know why Kratz did not except a plea to third-degree murder. The judge said he could not tell them that

Jurors would also like to watch portions of Kratz’s two interrogation/confession videos. Prosecutors are queuing up the portions to show them.

Finally, the jury wanted some legal definitions including the difference between conspirator and accomplice. The judge is going to give them some written legal definitions

Courtroom observers interpreting the questions seem to feel they are bad for Kratz

Kratz jurors are now going to watch a 20-minute Video of him speaking with his mom in a Philadelphia police precinct the night he was arrested. After talking to his mom Kratz showed police where he hid the murder weapon

Kratz jurors still deliberating. (now 2 hours later)

Kratz Jury has another question. (now 3 hours later)

The Kratz jury asked for the definitions of abuse of corpse and possession of an instrument of crime with intent. They are now deciding whether they would like to stay or go home for the evening.

Kratz jury is adjourning for the night will come back tomorrow to continue deliberations.

The jury will be back at 9 AM tomorrow. I’ll be here too.

link: LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter
 
Thursday, November 14th:
*Trial continues (Day 6)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (@ 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 started on 11/6/19. Expected to last 2 weeks, now (11/6/19) only to last 1 week. 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*
11/6/19 Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. Defense says Kratz will be testifying. State witnesses: Solebury Detective Cpl. John Koretzky (did initial search of property). Deputy Chief County Detective Mike Mosiniak. FBI Special Agent Mike Byrne. Melissa Meo (Tom Meo's mother). Jurors were escorted to an area below the courthouse to view an ATV that Kratz allegedly drove the night of Finocchiaro’s death. Trial continues on 11/7. DiNardo expected to testify later this week.
11/7/19 Day 2: State witnesses: Dr. Ian Hood (Forensic examiner). Family friend of the DiNardo‘s. A DiNardo concrete yard employee. Bucks County detective David Hanks. And 4 other detectives (no names). And 2 others (no idea who). Trial continues to 11/8.
11/8/19 Day 3: Jurors watched video of Kratz’s interrogation by two County detectives where he confessed to the murders (April, 2018, 9 months after his first police interrogation where he denied killing any of the men). The jury was told that Cosmo DiNardo will not be testifying. Apparently prosecutors served him a subpoena at the prison but he “refused to get on the bus“. Kratz’s attorney was incredulous. Trial continues on Tuesday, 11/12.
11/12/19 Day 4: State witnesses: Mark Sturgis’ mother. Other family members (no names given). State rests. Defense called a few witnesses (no names given) Does not call Kratz to testify. Defense rests. Closing arguments don Jury will start deliberations tomorrow, 11/13.
11/13/19 Update: Jury deliberations continued to 11/14. See post #1005 for details.
*Cosmo DiNardo (20) (confessed in exchange for DP off table) - plead guilty & sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences.
 
LaurieMasonSchroeder
‏Verified account @LehighCourts
3h3 hours ago

Kratz jury is still deliberating. They now have a question.

2 hours ago
The Kratz jury has asked to watch a video of his confession to detectives with his prior attorney present in April 2018 before he cut a plea deal to third-degree murder. During the 120 minute video he describes shooting Finocchiaro in the head.

Kratz’s attorney had asked the jury to watch the video during his closing statement, saying it proved Kratz was driven by fear of DiNardo.

1 hour ago
BREAKING: Jury asks to re-watch confession video in trial of man charged in killings at Bucks County farm

41 mins ago
Jurors are done watching the video.

Sean Kratz capital murder deliberations are entering the 9th hour.


link: LaurieMasonSchroeder (@LehighCourts) | Twitter
 
The #kratzjury has been deliberating for more than 10 hours now, considering 20 charges, from #homicide to #abuseofcorpse. @ChrisDornblaser & @MicheleCHaddon Below are documents of all charges they have to weigh in on:

EJWalXPWoAM8uJn.jpg
 
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