JUDGE TO RULE EARLY NEXT YEAR REGARDING CASSANDRA GROSS MURDER CASE

A Westmoreland County judge will rule early next year whether there is sufficient evidence for a murder case against Thomas Stanko to proceed.  The Trib reports that Stanko is accused of killing his former girlfriend, 52-year-old Cassandra Gross and burning her remains.  On Monday, Defense Attorney Marc Daffner said that because Gross’ body remains missing, there is no evidence to support a charge of first-degree murder.  Gross of Unity was last seen April 7, 2018. Her burned-out vehicle was discovered days later near Twin Lakes Park, a short distance from where her diabetic dog was found unattended by a motorist. Authorities say circumstantial evidence links Stanko to the murder of Gross, who in 2019 was declared dead by a Westmoreland County judge.  County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered the lawyers to submit written legal arguments before he decides whether the murder case against Stanko will proceed to trial, with a deadline of mid-January in place.