NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A man has been found guilty but mentally ill in the sword stabbing deaths of his parents and twin brother in suburban Philadelphia more than three years ago.
A Montgomery County judge on Wednesday convicted 27-year-old Joseph McAndrew Jr. of first-degree murder in the March 2011slayings of 70-year-old Joseph C. McAndrew, 64-year-old Susan McAndrew, and twin brother James McAndrew in Gulph Mills.
Prosecutors argued that McAndrew knew what he was doing when he stabbed the victims — and knew his actions were wrong.
Defense attorney Paul Bauer sought a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, saying McAndrew had stopped taking medication months before the murders.
Judge Gary Silow deliberated for only about 10 minutes before announcing his ruling. He ordered a psychiatric evaluation before sentencing.
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