Ohio man says divorce frustration led to slayings

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man convicted in the slayings of his two children and former mother-in-law says he preferred to have the children dead than to see their parents divorced.

James Mammone III made the comments Tuesday during the sentencing phase of his trial. He could face the death penalty.

Mammone said he’s full of regrets but didn’t apologize for the June killings. He said he was motivated by social and religious beliefs and personal frustration after his divorce last year.

The 36-year-old Mammone said he opposed divorce, and told his then-wife that he would never accept his children growing up in a home where both parents weren’t present.

He was convicted last week in Canton of three counts of aggravated murder and other charges.