Wrongful death suits filed against DiNardo, Kratz, and DiNardo family in Bucks Co. killings

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (WTXF/AP) - The families of three of the alleged victims in a Bucks County murder spree last summer have filed wrongful death suits, their attorneys announced on Monday.

The civil complaints name Cosmo DiNardo, his parent's and their family businesses, as well as DiNardo's alleged co-conspirator Sean Kratz.

DiNardo and Kratz stand accused in the grisly murders of Dean Finocchiaro, Jimi Patrick, Thomas Meo, and Mark Sturgis last summer.

MORE: Trial date set for Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz

The bodies of all four men were found on a Solebury Township farm belonging to DiNardo's family last July after investigators say all four of the men were shot dead on the sprawling property. Three of them were buried deep in the ground inside an oil tank. The body of Jimi Patrick was found on a different part of the property.

Monday's wrongful death suits were filed by the families of Finocchiaro, Patrick, and Meo. Mark Sturgis' family filed a civil suit last year.

The suits allege that DiNardo used a .357 magnum belonging to his mother to commit the murders, and heavy equipment owned by the DiNardo family businesses were also used in the murders, as well as the cover-up.

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The suit also says that DiNardo had access to the weapon and the equipment despite the DiNardo family's knowledge that their son was mentally unstable.

DiNardo and Kratz both pleaded not guilty at their arraignments in December, sending their case to trial. DiNardo has been charged in the murders of all four men, while Kratz has been charged in the murders of Finocchiarro, Meo, and Sturgis.

MORE: DiNardo could still face death penalty in Bucks Co. murders

DiNardo and Kratz are scheduled for trial on November 7 with jury selection to start on October 29.