HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) - A man accused of bludgeoning his mother, sister and another woman in a deadly hammer attack on New York’s Long Island has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Bobby Vanderhall is being held without bail after his arraignment Sunday.
The 34-year-old Vanderhall was arrested Saturday on murder charges in the deaths of his mother, Lynn Reichenbach-Vanderhall; his sister, Melissa Vanderhall; and visitor Janel Simpson.
Officials said a fourth woman managed to escape and summon help.
Nassau County police say Vanderhall had a history of emotional problems, and his mother had gotten a protective order against him and had thrown him out of their Hempstead home. Police say Vanderhall used a large hammer to break through the basement door, then attacked the women.
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This story has been corrected to show that the case is being handled by Nassau County police, not Suffolk County police.
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