LOCAL : Santa Ana Man Is Guilty of Beating Wife, Baby to Death

Joseph Lynch was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder today for savagely beating to death his wife and baby with a champagne bottle at their Santa Ana apartment last year.

Lynch, a 44-year-old Scottish national, stared solemnly at Orange County Superior Court Judge Francisco Briseno during the verdict and then hung his head in silence.

The electrical engineer, described by friends and family as a devoted family man, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. If found to be sane, he could face a maximum of 30 years to life.

The bludgeoned bodies of Helen Lynch, 35, and 14-month-old Natalie were discovered by police the morning of Jan. 17, 1989, after Lynch called 911 and reported that a murder had occurred at his home.

According to testimony during the trial, Helen Lynch died from massive head injuries suffered when she was hit repeatedly on the head with the champagne bottle.

Natalie, who was found nestled in her dead mother’s arms, died two days later from head injuries.

Lynch was diagnosed as manic depressive and briefly hospitalized in 1986 after assaulting his wife. At that time, he was prescribed the drug lithium to control his condition, but he stopped taking the drug six months before killing his wife and child, according to testimony.