A Santa Clarita man was charged on Friday with murder in the so-called "mercy killings" of his ailing wife and sister, prosecutors said.
Lance Anderson, 60, appeared briefly in a Los Angeles courtroom where he was charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and a special allegation of intentional discharge of a firearm with great bodily injury, prosecutors said.
See original report at NBCLosAngeles.com
He did not enter a plea and was ordered back to court on Jan. 13. During the hearing he appeared to mouth the words, "I love you" to a camera in the courtroom.
Anderson was arrested Wednesday after allegedly shooting his 68-year-old wife at their Santa Clarita home and then shooting his sister, identified as Lisa Nave, 58, in the head as she lay invalid in her bed at a North Hills nursing home.
If convicted as charged, Anderson faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Alleged mercy killing' gunman identified
The nursing home shooting happened about 9:20 a.m. when authorities responded to the Country Villa Sheraton Convalescent and Rehabilitation Hospital at 9655 Sepulveda Blvd.
The shooting death of Anderson's wife was uncovered, police said, when they received a call from family members who were concerned about her well being.