Accused killer of parents wants delay to get mother's $1 million estate

A Montgomery County, Pennsylvania man accused of killing his parents and twin brother is asking for his trial to be delayed while he tries to get access to his dead mother’s $1 million estate to pay for his defense. The request was made by lawyer Joseph J. Hylan, the accused killer's court-appointed guardian, reported the Delaware County Daily Times.

“This tactic should be denied by this court. To do otherwise would set a precedent whereby any attorney who is extraneously connected to a defendant could attempt to halt a criminal trial for any number of reasons,” Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and co-prosecutor Nathan J. Schadler wrote in court papers fighting the request made on behalf of accused triple killer Joseph C. McAndrew Jr.

Steele and Schadler claimed the request for a stay of the trial is a “proposed intrusion” by Hylan, McAndrew’s court-appointed guardian, and if granted “would set a disastrous precedent.” Prosecutors maintain Hylan has “no standing” to seek a delay in the criminal proceedings, reported the Daily Times.

“This attempted maneuver is analogous to a parent running into their adult child’s criminal trial and requesting the court halt the criminal proceedings. If permitted, one can only imagine the type of tailspin this practice would send our criminal justice system into,” Steele and Schadler wrote.

In a strange sort of way this case bring to mind the story attributed to Abraham Lincoln when he complained about the guy who kills his parents and then asks for mercy because he is an orphan.

McAndrews is awaiting trial on multiple charges of first- and third-degree murder in connection with a March 5, 2011, incident during which he allegedly wielded a sword to stab to death his parents, 70-year-old Joseph C. McAndrew, 64-year-old Susan C. McAndrew, and twin brother James McAndrew, according to the Daily Times.

To read more: http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/03/13/news/doc5140a9e203d2f507617851.txt