Sean Kenney

Case record: Sean Kenney

Background

Sean Kenney was formerly known as Richard Feaster and later changed his name to Sean Padraic Kenney. He was sentenced to death for the shooting death of 24-year-old gas station attendant Keith Donaghy. In the robbery slaying, Kenney also killed 55-year-old gas station employee Richard Pine by stabbing him and slashing his throat a half-mile from the first killing.

On a separate murder charge, Kenney received life in prison. The defense argued that he was unable to control his impulses, while the prosecution argued that the “facts of the case show it was the result of intelligent planning.”

The offence

On the night of October 6, 1993, Keith Donaghy was the only attendant working at the Family Texaco in Deptford Township. Donaghy was killed with a sawed-off shotgun during a robbery in which $190 was taken.

His body was found by patrons of the station that evening, lying on the floor of the little office in the station. A single gunshot wound to his head caused his death. The barrel of the gun had been placed up against his face, and the bullet entered the side of his mouth, blowing out his teeth, and destroying his brain before exiting through the back of his head.

In the robbery slaying, Kenney also killed Richard Pine. On October 31, 1993, Pine was working alone at an Amoco gas station also in Deptford. Pine was brutally stabbed more than forty times, and his throat was slashed, resulting in his death. The slaying was committed a half-mile from the first killing.

Investigation

The investigation of Keith Donaghy’s murder did not immediately lead to Feaster.

Eventually, Feaster’s companions from the bar came forward with information about the killings. The shotgun used to execute Keith Donaghy was located, and Feaster was charged with both murders.

Arrest

Feaster was charged with both murders after his companions from the bar came forward and the shotgun used in the killing of Keith Donaghy was located.

Trial

Kenney was tried and sentenced to death for the murder of Keith Donaghy.

On another charge, after the conviction, Kenney pled guilty to the murder of Richard Pine.

Testimony at trial revealed that Feaster told a cellmate in jail:

“wanted to feel what it was like to kill.”

Sentencing

Kenney was sentenced to death on March 27, 1996, for the murder of Keith Donaghy.

After the conviction, Kenney pled guilty to the murder of Richard Pine and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum thirty year term.

Timeline

• October 6, 1993 — Keith Donaghy was killed at the Family Texaco in Deptford Township; he was shot once with a sawed-off shotgun, with the barrel placed up against his face; patrons found his body lying on the office floor.
• October 6, 1993 — Just before the murder, Richard Feaster left a bar in a nearby town armed with a sawed-off twenty-gauge shotgun, spoke with a companion about going to collect a debt, borrowed a car, returned to the bar that night, and later committed the killings.
• October 31, 1993 — Richard Pine, age 55, was killed at an Amoco gas station in Deptford; he was stabbed more than forty times and his throat was slashed.
• March 27, 1996 — Kenney was sentenced to death.

Outcome

Kenney remained on death row after his death sentence. He later changed his name to Sean Padraic Kenney.

Aftermath

Kenney had the name Sean Padraic Kenney after remaining on death row, and he was formerly known as Richard Feaster. He had previously been known as Richard Feaster, a.k.a. Sean Padraic Kenney.