Wash. man on trial for branding kids

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) - A man accused of branding his three children like cattle is on trial on assault charges in Washington state.

KIRO-TV reports Mark Seamands branded his 13- and 15-year-old sons and 18-year-old daughter with the letters "SK" — for "Seamands' Kids." He's been charged with assaulting the sons but not the daughter because she was old enough to give consent.

Seamands' ex-wife says she was horrified when she saw the scars on the youngest boy's chest, the other boy's arm and the back of the daughter's leg.

KIRO says the boys are expected to testify in defense of their father because they are proud of their brands. Seamands also is expected to take the stand and show his own brand.

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Information from: KIRO-TV, http://www.kirotv.com/index.html