Alabama Father John DeBlase Faces Death Sentence For Killing Children

John DeBlase, a 33-year-old Alabama man, has been convicted of capital murder and now faces the death penalty.

DeBlase and his common-law wife Heather Leveall-Keaton were both arrested and charged in the 2010 murder of their 5-year-old daughter Natalie and 3-year-old son Chase. John was found guilty on three counts of capital murder for his crimes, and the jury in the case is now recommending the death penalty.

“It’s been a long four years and a long four weeks, but finally, finally, we have justice for these young children, these babies who were so brutally murdered,” said Mobile County, AL District Attorney Ashley Rich.

DeBlase and his wife reportedly killed their children after poisoning them with antifreeze and strangling them. The children’s bodies were then dumped in the woods. John’s attorney had initially attempted to argue that he was being “directed by Keaton,” according to NBC News, and the woman was a “violent controlling psychopath.”

DeBlase, however, admitted in letters read during the trial that he did in fact kill his children, with the intention to “put them out of their misery.” The NY Daily News reported that John and his wife had been fantasizing of a life to themselves before they decided to poison the young children.

John DeBlase’s trial lasted a total of 10 days and concluded on Tuesday. DeBlase was seemingly unemotional and expressionless when he was finally convicted. AL.com reports that he “had no reaction when the jury foreperson read the unanimous verdict, other than to shake his already lowered head. He stood with slumped shoulders as Circuit Judge Rick Stout pronounced him guilty.”

DeBlase’s father Richard released a statement via his Facebook page, obtained by Fox10 News, blaming Keaton for leading John “down a road to destruction.” Richard added that he is “disappointed with the decision made by the jurors.”

“I truly believe John did not kill his children. I take blame for not working harder to find out what was happening to my grandchildren,” Richard DeBlase said. “I will live with this the rest of my life. Natalie, Chase forgive me may you rest in peace knowing you will always be in our hearts.”

The trial of John DeBlase comes amidst a growing number of parental murder cases in the public eye as of late. The mother of 3-year-old Scotty McMillan and her boyfriend were recently charged with torturing and killing the toddler in Chester County, PA. The story has sparked national outrage.

DeBlase’s common-law wife, Heather Leveall-Keaton, also faces murder charges, and her trial will begin in March of 2015.