GUILTY PA - Joseph, 70, Susan, 64, & James McAndrew, 23, slain, Upper Merion, 5 March 2011

Lots of new information at link including a computer relationship with a girl in Argentina that had broken up.

Joseph McAndrew was worried that his tech saavy brother could hack into his computer. So much so that Joseph did not subscribe to the same internet provider his family did.

A friend of James speaks out about what he knew from James about his brother Joseph. His schizophrenia was delusional more than visual hallucinations.

There could be a problem with an insanity defense. When police arrived at the scene they found all the doors to the house locked and McAndrew in the driveway with the keys to the car. Conclusion being he was about to flee the scene. He refused to sign paperwork at the prison that would allow him to get treatment and a court appointed attorney, but he did ask for one at police interviews.

An envelope was found sealed that said "2011 evidence of drug plan for Joe-Joe"

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/117721668.html

My guess, Filly, is that he was in and out of reality. From your link upthread:

"....mental illness affects one in four families.

"It's always unexpected and a very unique experience because of the stigma and the uncertainty involved with it," she said. "It's not one-size-fits all. If anything, it's complicated." She said that the rate of violence for people with schizophrenia or mood disorders is 16 percent - 9 percent above the average for the general population - and that family members of those affected by it are at the highest risk.

"There is more emotion in a family relationship and the history that builds up," she said. "If someone starts losing control of their behavior or becomes paranoid, what can be normal family tensions can erupt in to violence."


Those numbers are staggering. I can never forget the awful crime committed in Las Vegas by Harold Montague. He's the man who slashed his disabled sister-in-law and then attacked and beheaded an infant in a stroller in front of his house. He used some sort of an axe purchased at a Renaissance Fair. I specifically remember his wife being shocked that he would commit violence. She left him each day to care for their children.

One can see how our forefathers thought that the devil had invaded a person's soul. We know it's chemical but it's so darned tragic and often challenging to treat.

For anyone interested, I'm reading the most fascinating book right now. It's a well written fictionalized account of the history of psychiatry, psychology and neurology from the mid-1800s up to the 1920s. Lunatic asylums, horrid "cures", millions of false theories, and finally a few breakthroughs. But still so so much work to be done. It's "Human Traces" by Sebastian Faulks. One of the doctors chooses medicine for his life's work for the specific reason that his beloved brother has schizophrenia. They don't have a name for it in the 1870s but that's clearly what it is. When one looks out over the world and considers human misery, mental illness is right up near the top.

filly, your grandfather was a hero, unfortunately it cost him his life =(
if the roomer had a gun or tazer he may have stood a chance. i'm thinking the young man was past the point in psychosis that he couldn't have been talked down.

mouse, your father is a smart man! =)

the common use of swords and dagger may have some type of almost phallic nature. maybe in some psychological subconcious way these young men are feeling inadequate so they chose a sword as a murder weapon.

in this case, the brother had a successful twin brother, they had grow up together. despite his brother's love and support for him, its possible that joseph felt he would never amount up to his twin brother.

***trigger*** the breaking point seemed to be when joseph's online girlfriend had ended a relationship with him.

http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-10/news/28675861_1_search-warrant-schizophrenia-mental-issues

"Joseph was also despondent over a recent breakup of an online relationship that he had been conducting with a girl from Argentina, according to the documents."

it seems joseph had put a lot into this relationship, and the break up triggered him. it's horrible he couldn't have gotten psychiatric help before it was too late.
joseph seemed to be growing increasingly paranoid of his own twin brother. he also had withdrawed from social activity, and this type of self isolation can make one's paranoia even worse.

it's sad when such a tragedy has to take place to get a mentally ill person help. it sounds like the family was aware he had problems.

for joseph himself, it's possible he compared himself to his successful brother constantly, and this is what made him grow paranoid, despite the fact his brother supported and loved him.

it's very sad when situations like this happen.

imo, this young man is entitled to an insanity defense, it's obvious he's need mental health help for awhile.

even if he was standing in the driveway with the car keys and all the doors locked, he was covered in blood!

what type of murderer does nothing to cover up their crime and then leaves covered in blood. he was in his own house he could have changed his clothes. he obviously didn't premeditate these crimes. the brother showed defensive wounds as if he were trying to defend the parents as well. a skilled killer would take out the hardest target first, which would have been his twin.

More mental testing ordered by judge

http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/06/14/news/srv0000011969039.txt

June 14, 2011

NORRISTOWN — A judge has ordered another psychiatric evaluation of the 23-year-old Upper Merion man who previously was considered to be incompetent to address charges he killed three members of his family.

Joseph C. McAndrew Jr. will "undergo an evaluation for competency" sometime after June 20, Montgomery County Judge William R. Carpenter wrote in a court order after prosecutors requested the evaluation. Dr. John O'Brien, a psychiatrist recommended by prosecutors, will conduct the evaluation.

D.A. to seek death penalty, trial date set for October 5, 2012

http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/ar...news/doc4f3c8135543ce243388781.txt?viewmode=2

Now he wants access to his dead mother's estate to pay for his defense and for psychiatric treatment. Unbelievable.

Trial is not expected to begin until late this year.

http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/ar...51351562a377f789658585.txt?viewmode=fullstory

JoeFromLB said:

Now he wants access to his dead mother's estate to pay for his defense and for psychiatric treatment. Unbelievable.

Trial is not expected to begin until late this year.

http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/ar...51351562a377f789658585.txt?viewmode=fullstory

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There's an update on this Joe.

McAndrew's court appointed guardian is asking that McAndrew have access to his mother's $1 million dollar estate to pay for his psychiatric care.

More at link




http://mainlinemedianews.com/articl...ia_courier/news/doc52448ea1f26e8463242941.txt

Filly said:

There's an update on this Joe.

McAndrew's court appointed guardian is asking that McAndrew have access to his mother's $1 million dollar estate to pay for his psychiatric care.

More at link




http://mainlinemedianews.com/articl...ia_courier/news/doc52448ea1f26e8463242941.txt

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I have to agree with Ms. Barrett.

Mary Jane Barrett, the court-appointed administrator of Susan McAndrew’s estate, which court papers indicate has a gross value of about $1 million, opposed Hylan’s request.

“There is no legal authority for the request that Mr. Hylan is making,” Barrett argued to Judge Stanley R. Ott, who must rule on Hylan’s request.

Barrett argued that under state law the estate must hold funds in escrow until there is a finding of not guilty or the charges are dismissed against McAndrew. Under Pennsylvania’s so-called Slayer’s Act, a killer cannot in any way acquire property or receive any benefit as a result of the victim’s death.

As for Hylan’s argument that McAndrew’s parents, if alive, would want their son to get the best treatment possible, Barrett responded, “It’s a sympathetic argument but I’m not sure it has any legal weight.”

http://www.timesherald.com/general-...ccused-upper-merion-killer-joseph-mcandrew-jr

The mental state of an Upper Merion man when he allegedly killed his brother and two parents in their Upper Merion home in 2011 is the question in a bench trial that started on Thursday in front of Judge Gary Silow...

“He knew what he was doing, and he knew it was wrong,” Steele said during opening arguments. “The evidence will also show that we’re dealing with an intelligent person. Someone whose goal is to you have you (Judge Silow) say not guilty by reason of insanity.”

However, defense attorney Paul Bauer argued that years before the killing, McAndrew had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Bauer told the court that months before the killing McAndrew’s friends stopped hanging out with him because he thought the freemasons were after him. “Months before the murder he stopped taking his medication,” Bauer argued.

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http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...y-but-mentally-ill-in-sword-murder-of-family/

A Montgomery County judge today found an Upper Merion man guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, but mentally ill in connection with the stabbing deaths of his parents and twin brother in the Gulph Mills home more than three years ago.

The conviction means that Joseph McAndrew Jr. will likely never be a free man again, although where he serves that sentence is still to be determined. Another hearing will be held for the 27-year-old man to find out whether he needs additional psychiatric treatment.

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http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...y-man-sentenced-in-murder-of-parents-brother/

A Montgomery County judge has sentenced a 27-year-old Upper Merion man to three consecutive life sentences for the brutal murders of his parents and twin brother with a sword inside their Gulph Mills home more than three years ago.

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