Paci pleads to murder 3

BY STACI WILSON

A Dallas man pleaded guilty to third degree murder in Wednesday, Dec. 30 in the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Paul Paci Jr., 22, faced the homicide charge after he intentionally ran over and killed Russell Fauver on July 2 on Blaisure Rd., in Jessup Twp. after an altercation that began at a tavern in Bridgewater Twp. that continued on area roadways.

In a preliminary hearing held July 28 in Montrose District Court, Susquehanna County Coroner Anthony Conarton said Fauver was pronounced dead at Endless Mountains Health Systems, Montrose, at about 3:30 a.m.

An autopsy performed by Dr. Gary Ross, forensic pathologist, revealed Fauver had died of multiple traumatic injuries caused by being run over by a motor vehicle. The death had been ruled a homicide, Conarton said at the preliminary hearing.

Conarton noted that Fauver sustained “a lot of internal injuries and lacerations, including a significant laceration to his forehead and nose.

According to police, Timothy Sullivan reported that he had come across the crash scene and drove Fauver to the hospital. Further investigation, according to Tpr. Greg Deck, revealed that Sullivan changed his story.

At the July hearing, Deck testified that Sullivan said he had received a call from Paci’s girlfriend about a vehicle that was following them. When Paci arrived at the Sullivan residence, Fauver struck the back of Paci’s vehicle with his, according to Deck, and the two men exchanged words.

Deck said that, according to Sullivan, Paci took off after Fauver in his vehicle and upon his return to Sullivan’s home said, “I think I killed him.” The trooper said Sullivan had reported that Paci had blood on him and he advised him to take a shower.

Paci is represented by Attorney Jason Beardsley for the Public Defender’s office.

He has been held without bail in the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility since his arrest.

Jury selection in the case was scheduled to take place on Monday, Jan. 5, but a plea was entered Wednesday before Susquehanna County President Judge Kenneth Seamans.

Paci is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 22.