D'Andre Howard found guilty in Hoffman Estates triple murder

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (WLS) -- Jurors have found D'Andre Howard, accused in the triple murder of a Hoffman Estates family in 2009, guilty on all counts.

Howard allegedly stabbed his fiancee's family after the couple got into an argument. Last week, Amanda Engelhardt testified during the murder trial. Her father, Alan, 57; sister, Laura, 18; and grandmother Marlene Gacek, 73; died in the attack. Howard was found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. Amanda Engelhardt's mother Shelly was wounded in the attack.

Howard's attorneys argued he was insane at the time of the attack. It took jurors less than three hours to reach a verdict.

Relatives and friends of the Engelhardts waited five years for Wednesday's verdict. Shelly Engelhardt and her son, Jeff, were present.

Jurors heard testimony that Howard accusing Amanda Engelhardt of cheating, which led to the violent confrontation. The couple have a baby together.

In closing arguments, an assistant state's attorney held up a picture of Gacek and said of Howard, "This family loved him, welcomed him into their home. And he repaid them by slaughtering them."

"It's unfortunate the jury didn't hear about his life," said Deana Binstock, Cook County assistant public defender. "He also had a tragic life."