Fresno, USA - Convicted US child killer and rapist Marcus Wesson was sentenced to death on Wednesday for murdering nine of his children and grandchildren.
The California man, portrayed by prosecutors as a cult leader who claimed to be Jesus, was found guilty last month of nine counts of first-degree murder and 14 sex crimes, including raping and molesting his underage daughters.
Wesson, 58, fathered all of the victims, aged one to 26, with his wife, daughters and nieces. Each was shot once in or near the eye.
Wesson appeared stoic with his arms folded in front of him as the California Superior Court judge upheld the jury's recommendation of the death penalty. Wesson will be sent to death row at San Quentin State Prison.
Relatives, some seeking the death penalty and others leniency, addressed a packed courtroom.
Four of his sons spoke, including Dorian Wesson, who told his father that he loved him and would continue to be a "soldier of god".
"As your oldest son, I will carry your name on and represent your teachings but in a legal way," he said.
"I be defy all things to the end but in a legitimate way."
Some relatives sobbed uncontrollably during the hearing, although the courtroom became quiet after the judge pronounced the death sentence.
Sofina Solorio, a niece, scorned Wesson.
"You claim to be God, you claim to be Jesus Christ, but look at you now, you are nothing," she said, as Wesson shook his head in disagreement.
"Since I departed from you I found my true God."
The sentencing followed a trial that lasted three months.
In June, jurors deliberated for 10 days before reaching their verdicts.
Wesson shot dead seven of his children and two of his grandchildren at his Fresno home in March 2004.
The killings started after a child-custody dispute when two of Wesson's estranged nieces returned to claim their children, provoking a standoff with police.
Wesson impregnated family members so they could have "babies for the Lord", held Bible study sessions three times daily and proclaimed himself Jesus, prosecutors said.
Lead defence lawyer Ralph Torres said previously that the Wesson family was "dysfunctional to the 10th power".
Prosecutor Lisa Gamoian told jurors the two adult females who died were conspirators with Wesson and they aided each other in carrying out a murder-suicide pact.
Wesson will be the 613th death-row prisoner at San Quentin, which houses California's only a gas chamber and death row for condemned male inmates.