SCRANTON -- A judge sentenced convicted murderer Neil Pal to life in prison plus 20 to 40 years for the murder of Frank Bonacci in 2013.
Pal was convicted of first degree murder by a jury in June for working with his friend Jason Dominick to shoot Frank Bonacci last summer and cover up the crime.
Jason Dominick was convicted of shooting Frank Bonacci in the head last in July of 2013.
But, Bonacci's father says his son's worst mistake leading up to his murder was befriending Neil Pal.
"Frankie was kind of naive, he was a naive person, and he trusted everybody. That's where Frankie got in trouble here, he trusted Neil and he trusted Jason. He trusted Neil to give him a ride home that night and of course we all know he never made it," said the victim's father Frank Bonacci Jr. "Frankie trusted Neil. They were friends, and for him to drive Frankie down to where they drove, not driving him home, he might as well have pulled the trigger. He was just as guilty as Jason Dominick."
Pal and Dominick were convicted of shooting Bonacci in his SUV, then sending it over a ravine along Roaring Brook in Scranton.
Bonacci's body was found a week later.
Pal went to great lengths to cover up the murder for a week, and divert suspicion. He even attended Bonacci's viewing.
The judge said, "I've presided over hundreds of trials, seen thousands of witnesses. In all that time I have never witnessed someone speak in such a cold, callous, apathetic way as Neil Pal."
"I think he hit the nail right on the head. He's not right. He's never… He's not sorry," said the victim's mother Robin Bonacci.
Neil Pal's first degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. but, Pal's actions after the murder were why he was given a second sentence 20 to 40 years on top of his life sentence.
"Ultimately, the sentence of life plus 20 to 40 years sends a strong, meaningful message about the behavior and the conduct of Neil Pal," said Lackawanna County Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico.
Neil Pal's attorney told us that Pal still sticks to the story he gave on the stand in June that he helped Jason Dominick cover up Bonacci's murder, but he didn't know the murder was going happen.
Pal's family plans to appeal the conviction at the state level.
Pal’s co-defendant Jason Dominick was convicted of third degree murder in his own trial in May.
Prosecutors said Pal provided the gun used to kill Frank Bonacci of Dunmore in July of 2013.
Police believe Jason Dominick of Scranton is the one who pulled the trigger. He was found guilty of third degree murder and conspiracy after a trial in Scranton and sentenced to at least 40 years in prison.
Police also believe Dominick and Pal put a rock on the accelerator of Bonacci’s gas pedal, sending it over the cliff, hiding the vehicle from view for a week.
At his trial, Dominick testified and told the jury he didn’t do it. He said it was Neil Pal who pulled the trigger.
