GUILTY NH - Kassandra - Benjamin - Mason Sweeney Shot to Death in Northfield - Juvenile Charged *GUILTY PLEA*

[mpnola]

9/16/2022 -- Documents show calls made to police over safety concerns days before Northfield murders

It is so annoying because they did all the right things. They called police and reported it. They noticed the behavior and weapons the kid was hiding. But they weren't allowed to put him out of the house until the ultimate sacrifice was made. I'm so sad for this young family. Eric clearly wanted to hurt Sean the worst way imaginable. He waited until he was gone to work. So calculated and maniacal.

 

[Seattle1]

IMO, I think prosecutors are near settling a guilty plea agreement with ES and why they've finally released the teen's identity. This tragedy occurred more than a year ago so I think there's been sufficient time for fact finding about ES mental health history, and hope he's finally receiving treatment and restored to competence to enter an agreement. There's nothing normal about a 16 year old murdering his nephews and sister in law and blaming it on a home invasion. No winners here and hope the father, SS, is surrounded by love and support. MOO

 

[Seattle1]

Can an 18 year old carry a handgun in New Hampshire?

Open carry and concealed carry are legal in New Hampshire without a license for anyone at least 18 years of age who can legally possess a firearm. There is no minimum age to carry a firearm, however the federal minimum age is 18 years old.
Jul 27, 2021

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/nh-gun-laws/

 

[Laughing]

<modsnip: quoted post was removed>

Trial started, but....

Interesting headline, paywalled for me:

Teen charged with triple murder in Northfield, N.H., floats insanity defense - The Boston Globe

Eric Sweeney is being tried as an adult on charges that he fatally shot his sister-in-law and her two young sons in their home.

www.bostonglobe.com

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[borndem]

and we see this again & again!

jmho ymmv lrr

Indeed we do.
Counselors, psychologists and/or other MDs, teachers, roommates, knowing family members or neighbors, etc., -- we just don't have enuff of these type folks to help someone who may or may not know that they need help. Sad, scary, and probably no winners here. <sigh>
Hoping for good news of some kind.

 

[borndem]

SMH.

 

[cocomod]

Not behind paywall..

Teen charged in Northfield triple murder 'may rely' on insanity defense

A Northfield teenager charged with first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his sister-in-law and two young nephews has notified the court he may pursue an insanity defense.

www.unionleader.com

Public defender Lauren Prusiner filed the notice of insanity defense last week “with authorization from Eric.” He reserves the right to withdraw it later or to advise lawyers not to run an insanity defense at trial, according to the notice.

A two-week trial is set to begin on Dec. 2 after jury selection, which could take several days.

Sweeney’s lawyers say the teenager’s detention on the day of the murder was illegal, and they want to suppress evidence from a body search. Investigators must contact the courts if a minor is held for more than four hours to determine placement, according to the defense.

 

[Deleted member 306806]

2025 News

Defense in case of man accused of killing sister-in-law, nephews admits delay in turning over documents

A man charged with the murders of his sister-in-law and her two sons was in court Thursday morning as prosecutors expressed concern about his upcoming trial.

www.wmur.com

"In court Thursday morning, prosecutors expressed concerns about key deadlines missed and delayed expert reports, saying they're still waiting for the defense team to hand over critical information."

Saying September schedule for trial.

 

[Seattle1]

Eric Sweeney Pleads Guilty to Murders of Sister-In-Law, Young Nephews

Eric Sweeney faces life in prison at his sentencing after pleading guilty to killing his sister-in-law and two young nephews.

www.courttv.com

8/15/25

CONCORD, N.H. (Court TV) — A New Hampshire teen pleaded guilty to the murders of his sister-in-law and two nephews on Friday.

In a naked plea agreement, 19-year-old Eric Sweeney pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder and a charge of falsifying physical evidence.

A naked plea agreement means prosecutors did not make any agreement regarding sentencing.

[..]

Eric faces life in prison at his sentencing set for October 3.

 

[Seattle1]

Man accused of fatally shooting his sister-in-law and nephews to plead guilty

A New Hampshire man accused of killing his sister-in-law and two young nephews when he was 16 is set to plead guilty to second-degree murder charges

abcnews.go.com

8/14/25

 

[Seattle1]

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

Eric Sweeney faces up to life in prison when sentenced in October.

wgme.com

8/15/25

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire man accused of killing his sister-in-law and two young nephews when he was 16 pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder charges.

Eric Sweeney, now 19, had been living with his older brother’s family in Northfield for several years when prosecutors say he fatally shot Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her sons, 4-year-old Benjamin and 1-year-old Mason, in August 2022.

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.

 

[Seattle1]

8/15/25

Full video: Eric Sweeney pleads guilty in deaths of sister-in-law, nephews​

 

[cocomod]

Sentencing in October.

I feel so much for his big brother. So much taken from him as he tried to help this younger brother. I am glad he plead guilty as most are unwilling to take responsibility

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1956500326090985509

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1956500326090985509

SMH -- typical DM and misleading headlines.

TWO MONTHS BEFORE the murders, the defendant took the family's truck without permission and left a note:

'I do not belong in this family. All I do is steal and lie and be irresponsible,' the note read in part, ending with, 'I love you big bro and sis bye.'

 

[fred&edna]

SMH -- typical DM and misleading headlines.

TWO MONTHS BEFORE the murders, the defendant took the family's truck without permission and left a note:

'I do not belong in this family. All I do is steal and lie and be irresponsible,' the note read in part, ending with, 'I love you big bro and sis bye.'

he knew right from wrong before, during and after committing these murders.

jmo

 

[Seattle1]

he knew right from wrong before, during and after committing these murders.

jmo

This was a horrific tragedy waiting to happen. The kid was a problem for years-- and his older brother became his guardian to help out his parents. He repaid his kindness by executing his entire family. He's 19 now, but I think he was 16 when he murdered his SIL and nephews. True-- he knew right from wrong, but he also has some serious mental defects.

 

[fred&edna]

This was a horrific tragedy waiting to happen. The kid was a problem for years-- and his older brother became his guardian to help out his parents. He repaid his kindness by executing his entire family. He's 19 now, but I think he was 16 when he murdered his SIL and nephews. True-- he knew right from wrong, but he also has some serious mental defects.

maybe he had mental defects, behavioral disorders, emotional disturbances or all and more. i don't know his psychiatric/psychological reports. but it seems he had definite self-control problems, and his family suffered numerous problems with attempting to control his behaviors. it's just that his note reveals, at least to me, he knew right from wrong.

jmo

 

[Seattle1]

maybe he had mental defects, behavioral disorders, emotional disturbances or all and more. i don't know his psychiatric/psychological reports. but it seems he had definite self-control problems, and his family suffered numerous problems with attempting to control his behaviors. it's just that his note reveals, at least to me, he knew right from wrong.

jmo

Because of his age, we'll never know the entire story--we only learned his identity a year ago!

We know that at the time of the note (two months prior to the murders), when he left with the family vehicle without permission (stole it), police were called and asked to talk to him. COVID prevented the juvenile taken away or being detained. We know that his brother and SIL had become fearful of him and installed key locks on their bedroom door (requiring a key to enter). For this family, there are no winners here. JMO

 

[cocomod]

Because of his age, we'll never know the entire story--we only learned his identity a year ago!

We know that at the time of the note (two months prior to the murders), when he left with the family vehicle without permission (stole it), police were called and asked to talk to him. COVID prevented the juvenile taken away or being detained. We know that his brother and SIL had become fearful of him and installed key locks on their bedroom door (requiring a key to enter). For this family, there are no winners here. JMO

Agreed 100%! There isn't a winner here, because I do believe in this instance mental health was an issue. I also believe - IMHO - that there are not enough options for help for teen and adults alike with MH issues. Most options are so expensive, they are unattainable.