New Hampshire Teen Sentenced To 60 Years To Life For Killing Sister-In-Law And Two Young Nephews

CONCORD, NH — A New Hampshire man who was 16 when he shot and killed his sister-in-law and two young nephews was sentenced Friday to 60 years to life in prison, bringing closure to one of the state’s most disturbing family tragedies.

A Family Torn Apart

According to court records, Eric Sweeney, now 19, fatally shot Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her sons — 4-year-old Benjamin and 23-month-old Mason — inside their Northfield home in August 2022. At the time, Sweeney had been living with his older brother’s family for three years.

Originally charged with first-degree murder, Sweeney pleaded guilty in August 2025 to three counts of second-degree murder. During sentencing, prosecutors described the killings as “unprovoked and senseless,” while defense attorneys portrayed Sweeney as a deeply traumatized child whose mental health had deteriorated under years of abuse.

Defense Argues Childhood Trauma

Sweeney’s attorney, Lauren Prusiner, told the court that her client endured an “immeasurable level of trauma” as a child — a life filled with neglect, instability, and abuse. “We are asking the court to embrace compassion so everyone in this courtroom can move forward with healing,” Prusiner said, suggesting that Sweeney may have retrieved the gun intending to take his own life before panicking.

A psychologist who testified for the defense said Sweeney’s behavior reflected a “broken brain” — the result of being exposed to all ten categories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including substance abuse, neglect, and physical violence.

Judge Balances Punishment And Redemption

Judge John Kissinger said he spent hours trying to reconcile Sweeney’s traumatic upbringing with the brutality of his crimes. “The sentence reflects both the magnitude and nature of his crimes but also provides a path — a difficult path — for redemption and rehabilitation,” Kissinger said.

Under the terms of the sentence, Sweeney will be eligible for parole at age 68, taking into account the time he has already served.

‘Unprovoked And Senseless’

Assistant Attorney General Bethany Durand said the victims’ deaths were “heinous,” emphasizing that Sweeney’s youth does not excuse his actions. “He made the choice. He made the decision to shoot six times to kill the people he now professes to have loved,” she told the court.

During the hearing, prosecutors played home videos of Kassandra and her sons recorded just minutes before their deaths — clips showing the boys laughing, playing, and calling each other best friends. Four minutes later, all three were shot in the head.

Family’s Emotional Statements

Kassandra’s relatives delivered emotional statements describing her as a loving mother and tireless caregiver who balanced night shifts as a nursing assistant with raising her boys. “Their lives mattered. Their futures mattered,” said her cousin Alizabeth Dawson. “The loss is immeasurable, and the hole in our family can never be filled.”

Some family members said they had forgiven Sweeney based on faith, while others expressed anger, saying they hoped he would never walk free. One grandmother told him coldly, “Rot in hell.”

A Tragic Pattern Of Violence

The killings stunned the small town of Northfield and reignited discussions about youth violence and access to firearms in families with histories of abuse. Advocates say the case highlights the urgent need for early mental health intervention and trauma-informed care for at-risk youth.

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