A Los Angeles man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his two children by setting fire to an SUV with the kids inside.

Dae Kwon Yun entered the plea Wednesday to two counts of murder with special circumstances. Prosecutors haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Police say the 57-year-old father killed his 11-year-old daughter Ashley and his 10-year-old son Alexander by setting fire to his SUV in a downtown alley in April 2006.

Police say the man also was in the car when he torched it but rolled out. He suffered severe burns.

Authorities say he may have been distraught over a gambling debt and his separation from his wife.