Sean Kratz Found Guilty Of First-Degree Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter In Deaths Of 3 Men On Bucks County Farm
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Sean Kratz has been found guilty of first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the deaths of three men on a Bucks County farm. The jury deliberated for 18 hours over three days before handing down the verdict.
The jury convicted Kratz of first- and second-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Dean Finocchiaro and voluntary manslaughter in the deaths of 21-year-old Thomas Meo and 22-year-old Mark Sturgis. They were killed on a Solebury Township farm in 2017.
He was also convicted on robbery, conspiracy and abuse of corpse charges.
Cuffs were placed on Kratz immediately after the first count of first-degree murder was read. He then looked down and never looked up again.
Kratz's family left the courtroom silently following the verdict.
Leading up to the verdict, the jury asked the judge several questions, including if Kratz can be convicted on multiple counts of murder; the differences between first-degree and second-degree murder; to rewatch Kratz's confession tape; and if a person can be held liable for an accomplice's actions.
Authorities say the three men were lured to the farm to buy marijuana, but instead, Kratz and his cousin, Cosmo DiNardo, shot them dead, stuffed their bodies into a pig roaster and tried to set them on fire.
During closing arguments, prosecutors told the jury the three victims would still be alive if not for Kratz. Defense attorney Charles Peruto called Kratz an idiot but said he was scared of DiNardo.
DiNardo was expected to testify against Kratz but he never did. In another surprise, Peruto said at the start of the trial Kratz would take the stand, but that didn't happen either.
DiNardo previously confessed to four murders and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Kratz initially pleaded guilty to third-degree murder but later withdrew that plea before the trial started.
Jurors will be back Monday at 9 a.m. for the penalty phase of the trial. Kratz could face the death penalty.
CBS3's Howard Monroe contributed to this report.