Florida to seek death penalty for man accused of killing girlfriend's nephews with hammer, knife

MELROSE, Fla. (WKMG) -- Prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the case of a 30-year-old Florida man accused of killing two brothers in their home this summer.

Officials filed a request notifying the court that they plan to pursue the death penalty against Mark Wilson Jr. after a grand jury indicted him Oct. 20 on two counts of first-degree murder, the Gainesville Sun reported.

Wilson is accused of using a hammer and knife to kill 14-year-old Tayten Baker and 12-year-old Robert Baker in their home in August. The boys' family had recently moved to Melrose, in north Florida, from Polk County.

State Attorney R.J. Larizza said his office consulted with the boys' family prior to making the decision to seek death for Wilson, according to the Sun. Wilson remains in the Putnam County Jail.

The boys' mother found their bodies on Aug. 26. Wilson was the boyfriend of the boy's aunt, and the family had allowed them to live in a shed in their backyard, officials said. Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach said the scene was one of the most “horrific" he had ever witnessed.

MORE:

• State seeks death penalty in Melrose teenagers' deaths - Gainesville Sun

• Florida seeks death penalty for man accused of using hammer, knife to kill boys - WKMG