Grace Packer Murder: Jury struggles with sentence for man who raped, killed teen

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- A jury outside Philadelphia has gone a second day without deciding whether to sentence a man to death for raping, strangling and dismembering his girlfriend's 14-year-old daughter.

Jacob Sullivan pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and related charges in the 2016 slaying of Grace Packer. Jurors spent hours in the deliberating room before telling a judge on Wednesday they are deadlocked on the sentence. They were ordered to keep at it.

Talks will resume Thursday.

Death penalty sought for man charged in Grace Packer killing

If the jury can't come to a unanimous decision, Sullivan will automatically get life without parole.

Grace's mother, Sara Packer, is due to plead guilty for her role in the gruesome plot. In a plea deal with prosecutors, she'll be sentenced to life without parole.

Prosecutors say Sullivan acted out a rape-murder fantasy he shared with Sara Packer.