The man accused of killing two Peach County deputies in 2016 accepted a plea deal Thursday on a 9-count indictment for life in prison.
As such, he waived his rights to a death penalty trial.
Thursday’s hearing came a little over two weeks after news broke that DA David Cooke reportedly told the Sondron family he would be seeking a plea deal rather than the death penalty.
DA David Cooke recommended Ralph Elrod receive two consecutive life sentences without parole plus another 100 years.
Cooke said that the parents of the victims, Daryl Smallwood and Patrick Sondron, didn't want the case to go to trial and that they supported the deal.
Although some others, including Sondron's son, made it clear they didn't support the deal.
"As stated, I do not support the plea deal. This is not justice. This is rolling over and giving in," said Jacob Sondron.
"It is wrong for me to say he died. He didn't die, he was taken from us. He was murdered for wearing a badge," said Ethan Ward Sondron.
To end the day, prosecutors and family members read a series of statements from the two deputies' families.
"No parent should have to bury their son or child," said Sondron's mother, Pat.
"Wyatt will never know what it's like to have his daddy cheering him on at a little league game, teach him how to ride a bike, to talk to him about girls, or to shave," said Renee Smallwood, in reference to her 4 -year old son she shares with Smallwood.
Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese told WMAZ that he's wanted the death penalty from the beginning.
"This is a death penalty case. But just having to put the families through that for the next 20 years, and with his age, the potential of him even living long enough to be put to death is not very good. So in the end, this is probably the best sentence for him," said Deese.
CASE HISTORY