Judge Rules Montco Man Guilty But Mentally Ill in Sword Murder of Family
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A Montgomery County judge today found an Upper Merion man guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, but mentally ill in connection with the stabbing deaths of his parents and twin brother in the Gulph Mills home more than three years ago.
The conviction means that Joseph McAndrew Jr. will likely never be a free man again, although where he serves that sentence is still to be determined.
Another hearing will be held for the 27-year-old man to find out whether he needs additional psychiatric treatment.
Montgomery County prosecutor Kevin Steele says this has been a long ordeal for other members of the family.
"We hope that the verdict today will give them some closure, knowing that he will not be able to harm them. He is going to spend the rest of his life in jail," Steele said after the judge's verdict was announced.
The defense had argued for a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Investigators say McAndrew used a samurai sword to murder his family. As for a motive, prosecutors contend he did it because he despised them and that's what he told friends.