Man in court for killing of daughters, wife

Man in court for killing of daughters, wife

INDIANA, Pa. (AP) — A preliminary hearing is set for a western Pennsylvania man jailed on charges that he killed his two young daughters and his estranged wife at separate residences which were also set on fire.

Forty-one-year-old Lewis Beatty, of Home, is also charged with animal cruelty because he allegedly shot and killed the family’s pet pony, goat and dog before state police say he set fire to both residences during the June 1 shooting rampage about 45 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

Police believe Beatty killed the pets and his daughters, 6-year-old Sara and 11-year-old Amanda, at the home he shared with them before driving to the home of his estranged wife, Christine, whom he choked before slashing her throat.

The hearing to determine whether Beatty will stand trial is scheduled this morning.