Jury sentences Joseph McEnroe to life in prison for murder of 6 people in Carnation



SEATTLE -- A jury has sentenced a man convicted of killing six members of a family in Carnation, Washington, to life in prison.

Jurors started deliberating the fate of Joseph McEnroe last Thursday, and announced their decision nearly a week later.

There was some confusion in the courtroom Wednesday after the first juror told the judge the decision was not unanimous. He then sent the jury out of the courtroom to further discuss the course of action.

The judge wanted to make sure jurors understood the questions, so he called them back into the courtroom to poll them again.

Jurors told the judge they were unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether Joseph McEnroe should receive the death penalty. Since they could not agree, the judge explained the default verdict in such a circumstance is life in prison without parole.



Last week, prosecutors argued McEnroe is a coldblooded killer who deserved the death penalty, while his lawyers said he was the victim of a manipulative woman who coerced him into murdering her family.

He was convicted back in March.

McEnroe's former girlfriend, Michele Anderson, faces a trial in the fall for the slayings which happened on Christmas Eve 2007.