NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – Not even a rekindled romance may be enough to keep Michael Ross from going through with his wish to become New England’s first execution in 45 years.

The serial killer acknowledged Friday at his competency hearing that his renewed relationship with his former fiancee has complicated things, but he remains resolute in his decision to end his appeals and accept the death penalty.

Ross is scheduled to die May 11 for killing four young women in Connecticut in 1983 and 1984. He has admitted killing eight women in Connecticut and New York and raping most of them.

Ross became involved years ago while in prison with Susan Powers, an Oklahoma woman who started writing after reading about him on the Internet. They broke up two years ago, but she began contacting him again the past few months and is encouraging him to fight his execution.

“I have not changed my mind. I know what I must do,” Ross wrote in a letter to Powers in February. “I can’t say to the families of my victims, Hey, sorry, but my girlfriend is back and we might actually get married someday, and I’d like to see if this can/will work this time. So you will have to endure another 10 to 15 years of continual renewal of the pain I caused you. But hey, what is your pain compared to my happiness?”‘

Ross acknowledges his decision is more difficult now.

“She has complicated things immensely,” Ross said.

Powers and Ross write each other and talk on the phone regularly. Letters show that she visits him. They pick out television shows and watch them separately so they can discuss them later. Ross’s favorite shows include “The Twilight Zone,” “NOVA,” “Survivor,” and “This Old House.”

Powers is not expected to testify when the hearing continues next week.

Ross’ father testified earlier Friday that his son is selfish and said his reasons for volunteering for execution have nothing to do with sparing the families of his victims more anguish.

“I don’t think he has any real compassion,” Dan Ross said. “I don’t think he has the ability to empathize with people.”

Ross, a 45-year-old Cornell University graduate, was arrested 21 years ago, ending a three-year spree of attacks in Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, Illinois and Ohio. He has said he decided last year to drop his appeals to spare his victims’ families additional agony.

Thomas Groark, an attorney charged with proving that Ross is incompetent to make that decision, suggested Friday that Ross’ wish to die is rooted in his psychological problems. Two years ago, after a third suicide attempt, Ross wrote that life in prison was becoming increasingly unbearable.

State public defenders have argued that Ross likely suffers from so-called “death row syndrome” – a theory that solitary isolation can cause severe mental health problems and suicidal tendencies – and Ross is trying to commit state-assisted suicide.

To show that Ross’ desire to die is not altruistic, Groark questioned him on the stand on Friday.

Groark pointed out that Ross wrote letters detailing his life on death row to several media outlets over the years, which put the serial killer back in the headlines. Groark suggested this publicity may have forced the families to revisit the pain of losing their daughters.

“Did you consider the impact that might have on the victims’ families?” Groark said.

“No. I did not,” Ross replied.

New London Superior Court Judge Patrick Clifford had previously ruled that Ross is competent to end his appeals. Ross came within hours of being put to death on Jan. 28, but the execution was delayed when his attorney, T.R. Paulding, announced a potential conflict of interest.

It was later disclosed that Chief U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny had threatened to go after Paulding’s law license if he found that the attorney, in pressing for a prompt execution, had neglected or ignored evidence that his client was incompetent.

Edwin Shelley, father of Ross victim Leslie Shelley, said he was unimpressed by what he heard in court Friday.

“I don’t think this changes anything unless they bring out some big, big guns or some big liars come Monday,” he said.

AP-ES-04-08-05 1749EDT