INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A man accused of killing his mother and grandparents and burying their bodies in a basement sent a note to a judge requesting the death penalty.

Marion Superior Judge Tanya Walton Pratt set a hearing for May 8 to discuss Kenneth Lee Allen's handwritten motion, in which he also said he wished to represent himself in court.

"I, Kenneth Allen, wish to represent myself and to enter a plea for the death penalty," the note read.

The motion received by the judge Thursday was not filed or signed by two attorneys appointed to represent Allen.

Defendants often become depressed and give up hope in death penalty cases, said defense attorney Monica Foster. The next step is to talk to Allen this week and determine what's motivating him, she said. If depression is a factor, she would have to oppose the motion, she said.

It was not the first time Allen has made such a request. He also asked for the death penalty while authorities escorted him to his initial court appearance in February 2005.

"I think we should give him what he wants," said David Wyser, one of the attorneys prosecuting the case. "He deserves it. How many times does he have to ask for it before we give it to him?"

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against the 32-year-old Allen, who is charged with murder, conspiracy and robbery in the slayings of his mother, Sharon Allen, 53, and grandparents, Leander Bradley, 91, and Betty Bradley, 75.

Allen's sister, Kari Allen, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit murder and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors at her brother's trial.

Police say the 32-year-old Kenneth Allen stabbed his mother to death Dec. 30, 2004, in her Noblesville apartment after she refused to help him steal his grandparents' $200,000 nest egg. He is also accused of smothering his grandmother at that apartment four days later and then beating his grandfather to death with a hammer later the same day at his grandparents' home on the east side of Indianapolis.

All three bodies were found buried in concrete in the basement of the grandparents' home.

Kenneth Allen's trial has been delayed while his attorneys appeal a court ruling denying a request to suppress evidence.