Woman charged with killing sister and mother (November 2018)
A jury in McLean, Virginia, found a woman guilty of murdering her own mother and sister inside their residence nearly 5 years earlier. Two life sentences were recommended by the jury.
Megan Hargan was tried and convicted on all counts, including first-degree murder, in the fatal shootings of her mom, Pamela Hargan, 63, and her sister, Helen Hargan, 23. Prosecution claimed Megan Hargan staged the scene of the crime to look like Helen Hargan decided to commit a murder-suicide.
The realization that police and prosecutors believe Megan Hargan staged the scene adds to the heinousness of the crime, according to Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano.
“Obviously, committing a murder is one of the worst things you can do, but then also trying to pin that on another victim, on your own sister, really goes to show, quite frankly, the depravity of this act,” he said, calling the killings “a tragedy all for money.”
As the verdict was read, Megan Hargan rested her head on her attorney’s shoulder. Ashley Hargan, her sister who testified against her, was overwhelmed with emotion.
The jury suggested two life sentences in prison. Each of the two first-degree murder convictions carried a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
