Letter from jail defends slayings of 3 in Ohio

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — A letter appearing to come from an Ohio man charged with killing his two young children and his former mother-in-law says the deaths of the youngsters were merciful.

In the letter to The Repository of Canton, a writer claiming to be 35-year-old James Mammone III says the former mother-in-law’s death lacked just cause. But the letter says killing the children was merciful because of the bleak outlook for their future.

A jail supervisor confirmed that Mammone sent the newspaper a letter.

Mammone’s public defender hasn’t commented on two jailhouse letters that appeared to come from Mammone. The Repository has turned both over to police under subpoena.

Mammone is charged with aggravated murder in the June 8 killings.