Packer Pleads Guilty to 2nd-Degree Murder in 2011 Stabbing Death of EMT

Accused murderer Matthew Packer had his day in court Friday, and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the Oct. 9, 2011 stabbing death of Paul Frontiero III, 27, outside Frontiero's Spruce Street home. 

Now a judge will decide Packer's fate – the defense is calling for 30 years to life; the prosecution is asking for 60 years to life. Frontiero's father, Paul Frontiero Jr., expects it will be somewhere in the middle.

He also said no amount of jail time would ever compensate for his son's lost life.

"I don't think 30 years is great. My son will never come back home again, even though Packer will one day be free," Frontiero said. "But honestly, I don't think he'll get more than 45 or 50 years." 

Frontiero said Packer simply answered "yes" and "no" to questions asked, and that he had no expression during the court proceeding. 

"The prosecutor said that he has no remorse. Packer's cell mate, Robert Ryan, testified that Packer said he liked the feeling of the knife going through my son's flesh. He has no remorse, to this day," Frontiero said. "I didn't care much for hearing that, but I'll have my say during the sentencing hearing on August 21."

Packer also pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault for his attack on two women who became involved in a confrontation with Packer outside Frontiero's home, Jill Arnold and Kathryn Libby. 

Frontiero died of a stab wound to the heart, a blow landed by Packer as Frontiero tried to intervene.

Frontiero's parents said being in court was difficult, but they have relived the pain of their son's death every day since they lost him.

"I relive how he died how and how he suffered, every day. People ask me how I get through it. I don't know the answer to that; I think my wife and I just find the strength to go on, in each other. We get stronger every day."