Two Cousins To Head To Trial In Deaths Of 4 Men Found On Bucks County Farm
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS/AP) -- One of the two cousins charged in the killings of four men who were found buried on a Bucks County farm appeared in court Thursday afternoon.
Appearing via video from prison, 20-year-old Cosmo DiNardo waived his preliminary hearing. His cousin, 20-year-old Sean Kratz, has been held for trial.
Neighbor Shocked After Cosmo DiNardo's Cousin Arrested In Bucks County Killings
DiNardo admitted to killing Jimi Patrick, Dean Finocchiaro, Tom Meo and Mark Sturgis on his parents' farm in July. His lawyer has said DiNardo confessed in exchange for prosecutors agreeing to not seek the death penalty.
Family members in court were intently focused on the video monitor, watching DiNardo repeatedly provide the same answer to each and every question.
"My attorney has explained everything to me, your honor," DiNardo responded.
Kratz is charged with killing three of the men. Kratz's attorney has vowed to offer a "vigorous" defense.
"What we heard is that my client places himself at the scene of these killings, and that's all he said so far," said defense attorney Greg Penglase.
DiNardo, Cousin Charged With Murder In Deaths Of 4 Men
Prosecutors say the bodies of three of the men were found buried in a common grave. The fourth man was found in a separate location. All four had been shot and at least three had been set on fire.
Police say after the murders, DiNardo and Kratz apparently went out for dinner.
"They went from the murder scene to go have cheesesteaks," said First Assistant District Attorney Gregg Shore.
"They went out for a post-massacre cheesesteak meal," said Bob Mongeluzzi, who represents the Meo family.
Kratz allegedly described what happened in July on that Solebury Township farm "a massacre."
Detectives say DiNardo lured each of the victims there, and as Kratz told detectives, dropped them one at a time with one of two weapons.
"He's a mass murderer," said Shore. "That's really all I can say about his behavior."
Kratz left court in a sheriff's van as victims' family members trickled out.
"It is about the most cruel and grotesque act of murder that we have ever seen," said Tom Kline, who is representing the Finocchiaro family.
DiNardo and Kratz will be back in court on Oct. 6 to be formally arraigned.
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