Suspect found guilty in Loyalhanna Twp. triple murder

GREENSBURG, Pa. — Channel 11's Courtney Brennan reported that a Westmoreland County jury found Kevin Murphy guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of his mother, sister and elderly aunt.

The verdict was handed down early Friday evening. It was the trial's 10th day.

Murphy, 53, of Conemaugh Township, was charged with killing his relatives -- mom Doris Murphy, 69; sister Kris Murphy, 43; and aunt Edith Tietge, 81 -- in his automotive glass shop in April 2009. The defense attorney blamed the crimes on his client's ex-fiancee and another friend who now run the business. A prosecutor, on the other hand, said it's "inconceivable" that anyone other than Murphy killed the victims.

Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck told the jury that Murphy killed his family because he wanted to start a life with his married girlfriend, and his mother and sister did not approve.

The trial's sentencing phase begins Monday. The conviction means that Murphy could be sentenced to death.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

WPXI