Josh Powell’s sister defends murders of his boys

Josh Powell’s sister believes he was trying to protect his young sons when he killed them in an inferno at his Graham home Sunday.

In an interview with ABC News, Alina Powell defends her brother’s actions when he took a hatchet to 5-year-old Braden and 7-year-old Charlie, then set his house on fire killing himself also.

“I think he must have just felt that there was only one way left to protect his sons from the pain from all the emotional and physical pain that they’ve been experiencing,” Alina told Good Morning America today.

ABC reporter Abbie Boudreau said to Powell, “But he didn’t protect them, he killed them.”

Alina Powell responded, “I wish it had been differently.”

Before the double murder and suicide, Josh Powell had been the only person of interest in the disappearance of his wife Susan Cox Powell, who was last seen in December of 2009. In the interview, Alina insisted her brother “had nothing to do” with Susan’s disappearance, which police in Utah have now classified as a murder.

Josh Powell’s father, Steven Powell is in jail on porn related charges. He has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of Susan.

The Josh Powell story will be the focus of ABC’s “20/20” program Friday night in a show they’re calling “Sins of the Father.”

Photo, screen grab from GMA interview.