NH teen could face 97 years for triple homicide
Prosecutors say a New Hampshire teen who killed her sister‑in‑law, Kassandra Sweeney, and two young nephews could face as much as 97 years behind bars, seeking consecutive terms — 35 years to life for Sweeney and 40 years to life for each boy — with up to 18 years suspended for compliance with education and mental‑health programming. Assistant Attorney General Bethany Durand argued for consecutive sentences citing the children's innocence, while defense attorneys Lauren Prusiner and Morgan Taggart‑Hampton urged mercy, pointing to the defendant's traumatic childhood and unstable caregiving.
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🔍 Key Facts
- The defendant is Kassandra Sweeney, a New Hampshire teen accused of a triple homicide that prosecutors say left her sister‑in‑law and two young nephews dead.
- Prosecutors filed a sentencing memo seeking a combined 97 years: 35 years to life for Sweeney and 40 years to life for each of the two boys (totaling the 97‑year exposure).
- The memo notes up to 18 years could be suspended if Sweeney complies with education and mental‑health programming.
- Assistant Attorney General Bethany Durand authored the prosecutors' sentencing memo and argued the victims' innocence as a basis for imposing consecutive sentences.
- Defense attorneys Lauren Prusiner and Morgan Taggart‑Hampton urged mercy, citing Sweeney's traumatic childhood — including unstable caregiving and exposure to drugs and violence — as mitigation.
📰 Sources (2)
Prosecutors seek 97 years for teen who shot dead sister-in-law, 2 young nephews
New information:
- Detailed sentencing breakdown sought by prosecutors: 35 years to life for Kassandra Sweeney and 40 years to life for each of the two boys, totaling the 97‑year exposure, with up to 18 years suspended for compliance with education/mental‑health programming.
- Named prosecutor and quote: Assistant Attorney General Bethany Durand authored the sentencing memo and argued the children's innocence as grounds for consecutive sentences.
- Defense counsel names and mitigation framing: Defense attorneys Lauren Prusiner and Morgan Taggart‑Hampton requested mercy, citing defendant's traumatic childhood (unstable caregiving, exposure to drugs and violence).