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Man accused of killing two Peach deputies may be taking plea deal

Sgt. Patrick Sondron's son says DA David Cooke is now pursuing a plea deal for Ralph Stanley Elrod

The death penalty may be off the table for the man accused of shooting and killing two Peach County deputies in November 2016.

Ralph Stanley Elrod is charged with the murders of Deputy Patrick Smallwood and Sgt. Patrick Sondron.

March 2017: Ralph Stanley Elrod has first hearing in death penalty case

July 2017: Man accused of killing Peach deputies pleads not guilty

Nov. 2017: 'It's had a strong emotional effect on the officers,' Byron Police Chief on slain Peach Co. deputies

Sondron's son, Jacob, tells WMAZ that his family met with District Attorney David Cooke last Thursday.

At that meeting, Cooke supposedly told the Sondrons that he would be seeking a plea deal, rather than the death penalty for Elrod.

Nov. 2017: Family, Peach Co. law enforcement reflect on one year since deadly standoff

Feb. 2018: Peach Co. officer shooting suspect told GBI agent: 'I just wanted to die'

Feb. 2018: Defense Attorney says Ralph Elrod willing to take plea deal

"That didn't sit well with me and my family," said Sondron. "Ideally what I would like to see is just an attempt at the death penalty."

Sondron says the Smallwoods were not present at that meeting with the District Attorney.

WMAZ reached out to the Smallwoods, but have not yet received a response.

RELATED: Second deputy dies after Peach County shooting

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"The death penalty to me personally is the closest thing to closure, per se, or justice, that we could recieve," said Sondron.

Amy Leigh Womack with the District Attorney's office says, "We're not allowed to comment on even the possibility of plea negotiations in any case. We'll be ready to proceed at our next scheduled hearing."

Womack says there is a motions hearing scheduled for September 6.

"It was two sheriff's deputies that were killed in the line of duty and we live in a state where we have the death penalty, but the District Attorney, who is elected to represent us to the full extent, is not pursuing that death penalty," said Sondron.

Final Farewell: Fallen Peach County Sgt. Sondron laid to rest

Final Farewell: Fallen Peach County deputy Smallwood laid to rest

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