LIMA, Ohio (AP): A man possibly facing the death penalty in an Ohio double slaying has been found mentally competent to stand trial.

A judge in Lima ruled Thursday that 29-year-old Hager Church is able to understand the proceedings.

He's accused of setting a house fire that killed a 45-year-old woman and her 54-year-old boyfriend on June 14, 2009. If convicted of aggravated murder, Church could face a death sentence.

Church is already serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for a 2010 slaying.

The Lima News reports that Church had written a letter to the newspaper requesting that he be put to death for his crimes.

He's scheduled for trial on Feb. 3.