Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz.
The parents of one of four young men murdered on a Solebury farm in July have filed suit against purported killers Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz, as well as DiNardo’s parents.
The remains of Mark Sturgis, 19, were found at the farm, along with those of Dean Finocchiaro (19), Jimi Patrick (19), and Thomas Meo (21).
The suit was filed on behalf of Sturgis’ parents, Aimee King and Mark Potash, their law firm Ross Feller Casey LLP announced Wednesday.
The lawsuit names as defendants Cosmo DiNardo and his cousin Sean Kratz, the two men charged with the murder of Sturgis and the three others, along with DiNardo’s parents, Sandra and Antonio DiNardo, who own the Solebury Township farm where the young men were buried.
The complaint alleges that DiNardo used a Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum caliber handgun owned by and registered to his mother to kill Sturgis, and that DiNardo’s parents failed to secure the handgun, even though they knew he had a history of mental illness.
The action, filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, also alleges that DiNardo’s parents caused a dangerous situation to exist on their family farm by allowing their son access to the property and also to equipment on it.
“With this lawsuit, the heartbroken parents of Mark Sturgis intend to hold accountable everyone responsible for the horrific death of their son, not just those who pulled the trigger,” said attorney Robert Ross. “This includes those who negligently and carelessly permitted either of the accused to gain access to firearms and equipment used in these heinous crimes.”
Last week, Cosmo DiNardo and Kratz pleaded guilty pleas to homicide, robbery and conspiracy during an arraignment in Bucks County court.
They should add the Solebury police to their lawsuit for failing to respond to a call about hearing gun shots fired