Being the birthplace of American suburbs (Levittown), Bucks County, Pennsylvania carries a reputation of deep historical significance, scenic countryside, and many attractions for tourists alike. Growing up I didn’t fully grasp the privilege I had living in a well-to-do area of the United States. But, when tragedy struck in July, 2017 my perception of my surrounding community changed.
My whole family attended Catholic school, with my older brothers attending Holy Ghost Preparatory School for high school. In my oldest brother’s grade was a peer named Cosmo DiNardo. His sister happened to date our cousin, but we never met the DiNardo family during this time. Cosmo and my brother were not that close in high school, but being in the same Latin class, the two were friendly enough.
No one could have imagined the true acts of cruelty he committed, however. Cosmo DiNardo and his cousin committed the murders of four other teenage boys in the Bucks County area. Jimi Taro Patrick, a rising sophomore at Loyola University of Maryland, was another classmate of my brother and attended our elementary school. A transaction between Jimi and Cosmo, regarding marijuana, resulted in Jimi’s murder. The news of these murders sent shockwaves throughout Bucks County. How could small town, affluent America fall victim to these casual acts of cruelty?
Going into the details of the murders would be indescribable, and I wouldn’t do Jimi and the three other boys justice. I remember arriving back from Florida at the Philadelphia airport and seeing “Bucks County” and “murder” in all caps on the front page. A community was in mourning in an instant, and no one knew who to blame. Eventually, it was revealed that Cosmo DiNardo was suffering from schizophrenia and had been struggling with mental health issues for a while. His possession of marijuana and access to weaponry spoke volumes of the underlining issues throughout this all-American town.
It is incredibly sad to know that the deaths of these four young men were the result of buying marijuana. Marijuana has been a heated topic of discussion for many decades throughout the United States, with many sides debating. Recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Pennsylvania, yet other neighboring states, like New Jersey and New York, have legalized it. I think there are many preconceived notions around the utilization of marijuana and its effects. As of 2024, marijuana has become less taboo than it was a decade ago with many thinking it less dangerous than alcohol consumption.
Rather than focus on the inevitable effects of take a drug, focus should be geared towards the effects of restricting recreational drugs. Yes, drugs have an effect on the body, whether positive or negative. But, the criminalization of marijuana has led to instances of secrecy and violence, like the story above. Decriminalizing drugs is a touchy subject, especially in small American communities (Bucks County) and why Pennsylvania is still mixed on its opinion of legalizing marijuana. Future deliberation on the topic must consider the unexpected effects of marijuana rippling through American communities.
Hi Sam, this was a very interesting post to read. I never expected it to head in the direction it did, but I am glad you shared this story. It is horrible to know that the indescribable acts committed were due to marijuana ownership. Decriminalizing drugs is a sensitive matter, but it is also an important one, as people need to hear both sides of the story.
Hi Sam, I did not expect this story to go where it did but it as very interesting. I think you described the events of this sensitive topic in good taste and that it shows an important side of the conversation regarding the decriminalization of drugs. In my town, I hear about mental health crisis’s triggered or worsened by drugs everyday so this side of the topic is important to include in the discussion.
Hey Sam! I am very ignorant on PA current events and stories like this, as I am from Texas, but I found this very surprising and intriguing. It’s crazy how you can find connections to almost anything, especially in smaller communities. I like how you tie in the concept of decriminalizing drugs into this story. It all works really well.