Deadlines for mental health reports disputed in triple slaying trial
Sep. 19—Prosecutors want to make sure mental health records of teenager Eric Sweeney, accused of killing his sister-in-law and two nephews at their Northfield home in 2022, are handed over with plenty of time to prepare for trial set to begin a year from now.
Assessments are being done by two different psychologists as part of a possible insanity defense at trial, according to court documents.
Sweeney, who recently turned 18, is being held at the Merrimack County jail after being transferred from the John H. Sununu Youth Services Center, according to court documents. He faces three counts of first-degree murder for allegedly killing Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her two sons, Benjamin, 4, and Mason, 1, on Aug. 3, 2022.
Sweeney had been living on Wethersfield Drive in Northfield with his brother, Sean, and his family, and had just turned 16 at the time of the murders. He is being tried as an adult.
Prosecutor Scott Chase told Judge John Kissinger Thursday morning that at least one report has already been delayed three times and requested a counsel-only status conference.
Chase wanted the reports by October, but the defense suggested a deadline of Nov. 14.
Part of the delay was due to a temporary New Hampshire license lapsing, according to public defender Lauren Prusiner.
"I believe he will only need to see him one more time," she said.
The two sides also debated other key deadlines, such as pretrial evidentiary motions.
Chase wanted some discovery from the defense later this month, while the defense had asked for a deadline of August 2025.
"Nearly a year ahead of time is unusual," Kissinger said.
On the day of the slayings, Sean Sweeney called 911, saying his brother reported the murder. Eric Sweeney claimed "someone had broken into the home and 'killed them all,'" according to court documents.
The defense has been granted access to the cellphone data from the day before the murders.
Sweeney was also charged with one count of falsifying physical evidence by discarding the murder weapon, a Taurus .40 caliber handgun.
