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1-trial bid dropped for mom, boyfriend charged in teen dismemberment death

Published  January 22, 2018 1:27pm EST
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- Prosecutors have withdrawn a motion to try a man and woman together in the rape and killing of her 14-year-old adopted daughter in Pennsylvania.

An attorney for 43-year-old Sara Packer said after Monday's hearing that the ruling means that absent a guilty plea there will be two homicide trials in the death of Grace Packer.

The judge will rule later on a defense request to bar prosecutors from using statements by 44-year-old Jacob Sullivan.

READ MORE: Girl killed in 'rape-murder fantasy' endured life of abuse | DA considering death penalty for dismembered teen's mom | Missing teen found dead, mother charged

Bucks County prosecutors allege that Packer watched Sullivan act out a rape-murder fantasy in July 2016. They allege the couple stored the girl's body in cat litter for months, then dumped it in a remote area where hunters found it.

Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty against Sullivan and possibly against Packer.