Judge: Upper Merion man convicted in sword killings, but mentally ill

UPPER MERION, Pa. (WPVI) -- An Upper Merion man has been convicted of murdering his parents and brother over three years ago.

Action News has confirmed that a Montgomery County judge has convicted Joseph McAndrew Jr. of three counts of first degree murder, but mentally ill.

Police say on March 5, 2011, the then 23-year-old McAndrew used an 18-inch sword to kill his twin brother James, his 70-year-old father, Joseph Sr., and his 64-year-old mother, Susan.

Police were called to the home on the 200 block of Holstein Road that night for the report of a domestic dispute. A tenant who lived in a garage apartment in the house was the one who called authorities.

He said he heard Susan McAndrew yelling for him to call 911, followed by an eerie silence.

When they arrived, police found Joseph McAndrew in the driveway with blood soaked pants and shoes.

When he was asked what had happened, police say he answered, "Extermination."

When he was asked who did it, he responded, "Attacker."

When he was asked about the victims, he responded, "Person named brother, person named mother, person named father."

At the time, District Attorney Risa Ferman said McAndrew had a history of mental health issues.

His twin brother James had recently graduated from Penn State University.

Both boys were described as brilliant, but followed two very different paths in life.

"We know [James'] twin brother - the man who took his life - was someone who had struggled over the years after high school. [He] did not go to college - he was very much a loner and an introvert," Ferman said. "We know that his twin brother was someone who was a great supporter of his through his life."