Father Guilty in Deaths of 2 Young Daughters
From Times Wire Reports
An accountant was found guilty of capital murder for shooting to death his two young daughters while his ex-wife listened helplessly on the telephone.
The jury in Dallas took 19 minutes to convict John Battaglia, 46, in the May slayings of Faith, 9, and Liberty, 6. He could get life in prison or the death penalty.
The girls’ mother, Mary Jean Pearle, testified that, over the phone, she heard Faith say, “No Daddy, please, no, don’t do it,” then heard five gunshots and her ex-husband yelling profanities.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.