USA - Pennsylvania. Judge Al Bell sentenced Kevin Murphy to death

Westmoreland County Judge Al Bell sentenced Kevin Murphy to death. In a brief hearing, Judge Al Bell imposed the sentence delivered by a jury two days ago (see). The death penalty applies to the murder of his mother, Doris Murphy, 69, on April 23, 2009. He received life in prison for the murders of his sister, Kris Murphy, 43, and his aunt, Edith Tietge, 81. Mr. Murphy was convicted of shooting all three in the back of the head. District Attorney John Peck said Mr. Murphy shot them at the behest of his then-married girlfriend, Susan McGuire, who urged him to "knock off" his relatives because they disapproved of his relationship with her. Ms. McGuire has not been charged, but Mr. Peck said the investigation remains open.