Kathe Gross looked across the courtroom at the man convicted of killing her daughter and let loose years of anger and despair.
“You are not human. You are pure evil. The only way you could get a woman was through fear. You are going to prison for the rest of your life. You won’t get into my head like you did with those other women. I am in your head, day and night,” Gross said Friday morning during a sentencing hearing for Thomas G. Stanko.
Stanko, 55, of Unity, was convicted in February following a weeklong jury trial in which he was found guilty of first-degree murder and arson in connection with the 2018 death of Cassandra Gross. Gross was last seen April 7, 2018, just before she drove to meet Stanko at his Unity home.
Her remains have never been found. A judge declared her dead in 2019.
Stanko was sentenced to a mandatory life prison term without the possibility of parole. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Stewart II also imposed a consecutive sentence of 42 to 84 months in prison for the arson charge, in which Stanko was found guilty of burning evidence and possibly Gross’ remains.
Stanko appeared in court wearing a blue prison jumpsuit and initially declined to speak during his sentencing hearing, but then briefly addressed the court.
“I feel bad she’s missing, but she’s missing and I was wrongly convicted,” Stanko said.
It’s a position Stanko has taken since before he was arrested in 2022 and charged with Cassandra Gross’ murder. During his trial, Stanko suggested another man killed Gross. He claimed that on the night of her disappearance they spent time at his home together burning her unwanted belongings before she left alone to go shopping.
It’s a story Kathe Gross, prosecutors and, ultimately, the jury never believed.
The prosecution contended Stanko and his elderly mother, who died late last year, worked together to cover up Gross’ murder. Cassandra Gross’ diabetic dog and her burned-out SUV were found days after she was reported missing near Twin Lakes Park, a few miles from Stanko’s home.
“I hope you live as long a life as your mother did, only you won’t be in a better place. When you die you will go to the very depths of hell like your mother did. She covered everything up for you every day,” Kathe Gross said.
Prosecutors at trial contended Stanko’s past included violent relationships with women, including a former wife who testified she endured physical and emotional abuse at his hands during their long relationship.
Kathe Gross was the lone witness to testify during Friday’s sentencing hearing.
Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar argued that in addition to the mandatory life sentence, Stanko should receive additional time behind bars for the arson.
“At the very end, his arrogance and true character showed. He was defiant and ignores that a jury of his peers decided beyond a reasonable doubt he is guilty of first-degree murder,” Lazar said.
Lazar noted that Stanko burned Gross’ belongings in an effort to cover up his crime and to destroy evidence.
“There was almost nothing left of her, just pieces of Ms. Gross’ life. Let him remember … society won’t welcome him as long as he takes his last breath and beyond,” Lazar said.
The judge said he did not expect to comment prior to imposing the mandatory life sentence but was moved to do so after hearing Stanko’s courtroom statement.
“There is not a word Ms. Gross uttered that I found inaccurate. You have a history as a liar, of criminal behavior and an abuser. You are beyond any type of rehabilitation. This was the worst possible crime that can be committed,” Stewart said.
“If there is an afterlife after you take your last breath, if someone is keeping track, I want you to receive that additional time,” the judge said.
Defense attorney Marc Daffner said Stanko would appeal his conviction but declined to discuss specifics of what will be challenged.
Kathe Gross did not speak with reporters following the hearing and left the courthouse through a back door.
Several of her daughter’s friends, many of whom attended each day of the trial and wore shirts with a picture of Cassandra Gross on the front, said they still grieve.
“I don’t think it will ever be over. We don’t have her here,” said friend Mary Ann Dicks. Dicks testified at trial she was the last person to see Gross alive when they met for a lunch date hours before her disappearance.
Robin Byrd, a former schoolmate, said Stanko’s punishment was appropriate.
“I was happy to see that smirk wiped off his face,” Byrd said.