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Jury selection set in 2009 Westmoreland Co. triple-murder trial

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Jury selection began Monday for a western Pennsylvania man accused of murdering his mother, sister and elderly aunt four years ago at the automobile glass shop he owned.

Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck said Kevin Murphy, 52, of Conemaugh Township, killed the women on April 23, 2009, because they disapproved of his relationship with a married woman.

Investigators said Murphy told them he brought a handgun to the garage earlier that day but denies killing his mother, 69-year-old Doris Murphy, his 43-year-old sister, Kris Murphy, and his aunt, 81-year-old Edith Tietge.

Instead, the defense is expected to argue that someone else killed the women at the shop in Loyalhanna Township.

The jury selected will be bused to the crime scene to examine it as part of the trial. Five jurors were selected Monday.

Police investigated the scene at the automobile glass shop for one year before announcing in April 2010 that Murphy would be charged in the deaths of his relatives.

If convicted, Murphy could face the death penalty.