New Hampshire man accused of fatally shooting his sister-in-law and nephews pleads guilty

CONCORD N H AP A New Hampshire man accused of killing his sister-in-law and two young nephews when he was pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder charges Eric Sweeney now had been living with his older brother s family in Northfield for several years when prosecutors say he fatally shot Kassandra Sweeney and her sons -year-old Benjamin and -year-old Mason in August He was scheduled to go on trial on first-degree murder charges next month but instead pleaded guilty to the lesser charges in Merrimack County Superior Court speaking only to briefly confirm his understanding of the proceedings Sweeney whose lawyers had considered raising an insanity defense faces up to life in prison when sentenced at a later date According to prosecutors Sweeney s older brother Sean and his wife were serving as the teen s guardians when Sweeney s increasing behavioral issues began causing tensions in the home In court documents they say Sweeney was lying to the couple and violating house rules prompting them to call the police to talk to him About two months before the fatal shootings he left the couple a note that read in part I do not belong in this family All I do is steal and lie and be irresponsible and closed with I love you big bro and sis bye When he was taken into custody Sweeney communicated police he had been in his room in the basement when he heard something break upstairs a man with a deep voice yelling and multiple pops according to court documents He noted he went upstairs and ascertained his sister-in-law and nephews on the floor bleeding and then took Kassandra s cellphone and keys and drove away He then called his brother who called police Prosecutors had planned to show jurors video clips Kassandra Sweeney recorded on her phone showing her sons engaging in playful behavior the morning of the shooting including one created just minutes before Eric Sweeney left the house In all three videos the casualties are exhibiting no distress or other visible or audible signs that would suggest that an unknown or unwelcome third-party was present in the house with them prosecutors stated in a court filing last month