Washington County District Attorney Steven Toprani will seek the death penalty for Orlando Guarino, who is accused of killing his wife and two young children in their home in Marianna.

Mr. Toprani today filed court papers detailing seven aggravating circumstances that his office intends to present during the penalty phase of trial if Mr. Guarino, 38, is convicted of the slayings of his wife, Ashley Guarino, 22, his daughter, Dreux, 2, and son Orlando Jr., 11 months. Aggravating circumstances are presented to argue that a death sentence is warranted.

Investigators said Mr. Guarino, 38, severely beat and strangled his wife and suffocated his children July 9. Mrs. Guarino was found, bruised and bloody, in the laundry room and the children were found dead in their beds.

State police later arrested Mr. Guarino in Canton, just outside Washington, Pa., after a daylong manhunt and chase, during which a state trooper fired a shot at him.

Among the aggravating circumstances presented today by Mr. Toprani: that Mr. Guarino's children were under age 12; that he put others at grave risk; and that he had been subject to a protection from abuse order obtained in June by Mrs. Guarino.

Mr. Guarino remains in the Washington County Prison.