Judge rejects Thomas Stanko’s bid to overturn conviction and life sentence
GREENSBURG, PA — A murder conviction built without ever recovering Cassandra Gross’ body will stand after a Westmoreland County judge rejected Thomas Stanko’s appeal, leaving intact the life sentence imposed for killing Gross and burning her vehicle.
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Michael Stewart denied Stanko’s post-trial challenges in a 44-page opinion, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.
Stanko was convicted by a jury in February of first-degree murder and reckless burning.
Gross was last heard from in April 2018. Her body has never been recovered.
A Common Pleas judge declared Gross dead as a result of homicide in early 2019.
Despite the absence of her remains, investigators developed a circumstantial case that ultimately led to Stanko being charged in October 2022.
Investigators found belongings belonging to Gross and a pair of eyeglasses in a burn barrel on Stanko’s property, according to prosecutors.
Gross’ burned-out vehicle was also discovered along a remote access path near railroad tracks in Hempfield Township.
In rejecting Stanko’s challenge, Stewart found that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support both convictions.
“The Commonwealth proved step-by-step, and piece-by-piece, that Cassandra was murdered, that Defendant knowingly and intentionally caused the death Cassandra, and that he intentionally set a fire to her vehicle which caused its nearly complete destruction,” Stewart wrote.
The judge noted that Stanko testified at trial but jurors rejected his account after hearing the evidence.
Stewart denied Stanko’s request for an acquittal, rejected his challenge concerning the admission of evidence and denied his request for a new trial.
The ruling leaves Stanko’s first-degree murder conviction and life sentence in place.
Stanko has 30 days to appeal the decision to Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Key Points
- A Westmoreland County judge rejected Thomas Stanko’s effort to overturn his first-degree murder conviction and life sentence in the death of Cassandra Gross.
- Gross disappeared in April 2018 and her body has never been recovered, but investigators found her belongings in a burn barrel on Stanko’s property and her burned vehicle in Hempfield Township.
- Stanko has 30 days to appeal the ruling to Pennsylvania Superior Court.
