A young man from New Hampshire was sentenced Friday to 60 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his sister-in-law and two young nephews in August 2022. At the time of the killings, Eric Sweeney was 16; he is now 19.
Victims and Crime Details
Sweeney lived with his older brother's family in Northfield for three years before the tragedy. He killed 25-year-old Kassandra Sweeney and her sons, 4-year-old Benjamin and 23-month-old Mason, in their home.
On the morning of the attack, Kassandra had prepared a snack for her sons and was recording videos of them playing. Minutes later, all three were shot in the head, including Benjamin, who was wearing a dinosaur costume.
Legal Proceedings
Originally charged with first-degree murder, Sweeney pleaded guilty in August to second-degree murder. Defense attorneys had sought a sentence of 40 years to life, citing Sweeney’s traumatic childhood, including abuse, neglect, and exposure to drug environments.
Prosecutors requested at least 97 years, citing the heinous nature of the crime. The court allowed up to six years to be suspended, making Sweeney eligible for parole at age 68.
Defense Argument
Sweeney’s lawyer, Lauren Prusiner, highlighted that he does not remember committing the crimes, suggesting the possibility that he intended to harm himself and panicked. Psychologists testified that his extreme childhood trauma significantly impacted his brain development and decision-making.
Prosecution Statement
Assistant Attorney General Bethany Durand rejected arguments for leniency based on youth or trauma. “He made the choice. He decided to shoot six times to kill the people he now professes to have loved,” Durand said.
Family Reaction
During the hearing, more than a dozen relatives described Kassandra as a devoted mother and the boys as affectionate and energetic. Reactions were mixed: some expressed forgiveness, while others voiced hatred and wished Sweeney harm.
Kassandra’s cousin, Alizabeth Dawson, said, "Their lives mattered. Their futures mattered. But the loss suffered is immeasurable."
Aftermath and Reflection
Sweeney initially lied to police about the killings, claiming he found the victims after hearing a commotion. Experts noted that his false account may have been a defense mechanism stemming from trauma.
A volunteer tutor who worked with Sweeney said he expressed remorse in a text after pleading guilty: "I did something really bad and I’m sorry."
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