Codefendant Francis Kirchner, 30, of Fishtown, who delivered the fatal kick, according to court testimony, and was originally charged with first-degree murder, said nothing. The third defendant, James Groves, 48, of Kensington, also kept silent. The official moment for defendants to speak typically comes at sentencing, scheduled for Dec. 20.
As the men pleaded guilty, some of their family members could be heard weeping. About 20 of Sale's friends and family members sat on the other side of the long courtroom benches.
The guilty pleas came at a hearing called to rule on a defense motion to throw out the charges after a mistrial was declared last month.
Instead, Assistant District Attorney Richard Sax said the three would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and conspiracy. The maximum penalty is 40 years in prison; Common Pleas Court Judge Shelley Robins New will determine the sentence.
Defense attorneys said state guidelines typically call for four to five years in prison, but two of the defendants - Bowers and Kirchner - have criminal records, which could mean a higher sentence.
Sale's family and friends knew of the plea deal in advance. Sax had a long conversation with the group before and after the hearing. They declined to speak afterward. Robins New has ordered attorneys not to talk to reporters until after sentencing.
The family members will also have an opportunity to address the judge before sentencing.
The three defendants were part of a group bused from Moe's Tavern in Fishtown to the game between the Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Toward the end of the game, that group and members of a bachelor party that included Sale, 22, of Lansdale, started fighting after drinks were spilled at McFadden's, a sports bar attached to Citizens Bank Park.
