Families Of Victims In Bucks County Murders File Wrongful Death Lawsuits
BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- The families of three victims who were allegedly killed on a Bucks County farm have filed wrongful death lawsuits against Cosmo DiNardo, his parents and his cousin.
DiNardo, Cousin Charged With Murder
Attorneys for the families of Dean A. Finocchiaro, Thomas C. Meo, and Jimi T. Patrick, announced the civil suit on Monday. The family of the fourth victim, Mark Sturgis, filed a wrongful death suit last year. The lawsuits were filed against DiNardo, his parents and Sean Kratz.
According to the criminal complaint, Sturgis was shot with a gun owned by Cosmo DiNardo's mother.
The lawsuits claim DiNardo's parents neglected to safeguard their gun while knowing their son had serious mental issues.
"I told him I loved him and he told me he loved me and I hugged him and I told him to come home early and he said he would," said Sharon Patrick, grandmother of Jimi Taro Patrick.
"It's indescribable. The emotions I feel and the loss. I never thought I would feel this. And lose my son," said Melissa Fratanduono-Meo, mother of Thomas Meo.
Sharon says she was most proud of her son's giving heart.
"His goal in life was to help people, to make a difference in a person's life," she said.
Now her goal is is to honor Jimi's goal by making a change in everyone's life.
"Society can begin to change to make sure that mentally ill individuals disturbed never ever has access to weapons to kill people," said Robert Mongeluzzi, who's representing one of the families.
DiNardo and Kratz were charged in the murders of Finocchiaro, Meo, Patrick and Sturgis. Their bodies were found last July on a farm in Solebury owned by DiNardo's parents.
Bucks County District Attorney Releases Disturbing Details On Deaths Of 4 Men
Authorities say DiNardo admitted to killing the men and burying their bodies.
Both DiNardo and Kratz pleaded not guilty during their formal arraignment last December.