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‘Mastermind’s’ Murder Conviction Upheld

SCRANTON — A state court upheld the murder conviction against the man who masterminded the killing of his friend. Neil Pal appealed that conviction, claim...
neil pal lacka missing

SCRANTON -- A state court upheld the murder conviction against the man who masterminded the killing of his friend.

Neil Pal appealed that conviction, claiming media attention of his case swayed the jury's decision.

Since June 2014, Neil Pal has been serving a mandatory life sentence after being found guilty on first degree murder charges. Now he will continue to live behind bars as a state court upheld that conviction.

Seen as the mastermind for the murder of Frankie Bonacci, Pal is one of two men serving time for this crime.

“Neil thinks he did nothing wrong. Neil thinks he just would have never got caught,” said Robin Bonacci, Frankie’s mother, who praised the court’s decision.

“I was thrilled because I wasn't certain because I'm not certain of anything anymore. The only thing I'm certain of is Frankie's never coming home.”

Bonacci's body was found inside his SUV down a ravine near the University of Scranton in July of 2013, a week after Pal had Jason Dominick shoot Bonacci execution style.

The case drew media attention and Pal's attorneys wanted his trial moved out of the Lackawanna County but were denied.

In this appeal, Pal's new attorney alleged Pal did not get a fair trial saying the jury was swayed by the pre-trial news coverage.

Lackawanna County Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico says that's why there's the jury selection process.

“You can certainly get a fair and impartial jury. There was detailed questions by the court and by the attorneys for both sides, and that's exactly how this process is designed to work and it worked well,” said Talerico.

“Neil may sit in that jail for the rest of his life and he may not have planned doing that, but Frankie never planned on sitting in a box on my dresser for the rest of his life,” said Bonacci.

Jason Dominick was tried separately last year. He was found guilty of third degree murder and sentenced to up to 80 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed.

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