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Bucks County Jury Deadlocked On Whether To Sentence Man To Death For Raping, Dismembering Girlfriend's Teen Daughter

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DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS/AP) — A jury in Bucks County says it can't come to a unanimous decision on whether to sentence a man to death for raping, strangling and dismembering his girlfriend's 14-year-old daughter. Jacob Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and related charges in the 2016 slaying of Grace Packer.

Jacob Sullivan
(credit: CBS3)

After nine hours of deliberations over two days, jurors told the judge Wednesday afternoon they're deadlocked.

The judge told jurors to keep deliberating. If the jury can't come to a unanimous decision, Sullivan will automatically get life without parole.

Grace's mother, Sara Packer, is due to plead guilty for her role in the gruesome plot. She took a plea deal and is expected to be sentenced to life in prison for her role in her daughter's death.

Grace Packer
(credit: CBS3)

Prosecutors say Sullivan acted out a rape-murder fantasy he shared with Sara Packer.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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