Trial begins for man accused of killing family of 6 inside Carnation home



SEATTLE (AP) — Seven years after six family members were killed on Christmas Eve in Carnation, the trial opened Tuesday for one of two charged with aggravated murder.

The Seattle Times reports that prosecutors told jurors in opening statements there's no doubt Joe McEnroe committed the crimes.

King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott O'Toole also said jurors would hear a lot of difficult information but nothing to explain the "callousness" of the slayings.

McEnroe and his former girlfriend, Michele Anderson, are accused of shooting her parents, brother, sister-in-law, 5-year-old niece and 3-year-old nephew. They are each charged with six counts of aggravated murder.

But defense lawyer Leo Hamaji says McEnroe was coerced into killing the family by his mentally ill girlfriend. He asked jurors to keep an open mind.

Anderson's trial has been delayed by questions about her competency. Her trial is now scheduled for the fall.