Fate Of Triple Murder Suspect Sean Kratz In Hands Of Bucks County Jury
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A Bucks County jury will continue deliberating the fate of triple murder suspect Sean Kratz on Thursday. He is charged with helping his cousin, Cosmo DiNardo, kill three men on DiNardo's family farm in Solebury Township, Bucks County in 2017.
There has been one sign of a possible conviction. On Wednesday afternoon, the jury asked the judge a series of questions including, "Can we convict on multiple counts of murder?" The judge answered yes.
They also asked why Kratz decided not to take a third-degree murder plea. The judge said that's not for the jury to consider, but could be a troubling sign for the defense in the two-year-long murder case.
In his closing argument, Kratz's lawyer, Charles Peruto, argued his client acted out of fear for his life.
The prosecutor, however, argued, "No reasonable person would have pulled the trigger unless they had the intent to kill."
Authorities say Kratz lured the victims to the Solebury farm to sell them marijuana but killed them, stuffing the victims' bodies into a pig roaster as they tried to set them on fire. During the trial, jurors watched Kratz's taped confession.
The 20-minute recording shows a conversation Kratz had with his mother after he was questioned by police.
"I'm leaving things out. Mentally, I'm blocking things out," Kratz told his mom.
"Unblock yourself," she replied back. "You need to be as honest and clear as you can be."
Kratz did not take the stand in his own defense, as was initially expected.
In 2017, Kratz initially lied to police about his involvement in the murders before then confessing to the crimes. He said his taped confession was coerced.
After Kratz rejected a plea deal, prosecutors said they're now seeking the death penalty.
DiNardo previously confessed to four murders and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
CBS3's Matt Petrillo contributed to this report.
