Local News

Attorneys for N.H. teen charged in triple murder considering insanity defense

Eric Sweeney allegedly shot and killed his sister-in-law and two young nephews in their home in 2022.

March 6, 2024

1 minute to read

Attorneys representing the New Hampshire teenager charged with murdering his sister-in-law and two young nephews in 2022 are considering invoking an insanity defense at trial, The Boston Globe reports.

Authorities allege that Eric Sweeney, 17, gunned down 5-year-old Kassandra R. Sweeney, 4-year-old Benjamin Sweeney, and 23-month-old Mason Sweeney on the morning of Aug. 3, 2022 in their Northfield, N.H. home. Eric Sweeney, who was 16 at the time of the murders, is being tried as an adult.

According to the Globe, the public defenders assigned to Eric Sweeney notified court on Friday that they may invoke an insanity defense at the trial, which is set to begin in November with jury selection. The strategy can still be withdrawn, according to the newspaper.

Sweeney lived at the Northfield residence with his brother, Sean Sweeney, and his family. Sean Sweeney had previously reported his brother to police out of safety concerns, telling officers the teen had been making strange comments and hiding weapons around the home.

According to the Globe, Eric Sweeney faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison without parole, but if he is successful with an insanity defense, he would be admitted to a psychiatric facility with the potential opportunity to eventually get discharged.