JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Johnston County father accused of murdering four of his kids over a several-month span earlier this year will face the death penalty.

Wellington Dickens III , who called 911 in October and confessed to the killings, appeared in court in Smithfield for a pretrial conference on Thursday during which prosecutors laid out the facts of the case and whether or not they intended to seek the death penalty.

Dickens is accused of killing three biological children as well as his stepson between May and October of this year.

"We do believe there are aggravating circumstances in this case, and your honor, based on that the State would declare this case capital and seek the death penalty against Mr. Dickens," said Johnston County District Attorney Jason Waller

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