ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) -A man accused of killing two people in 2017 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Arelious Haynes Jr. pleaded guilty to malice murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Haynes attacked and killed Francis Nelson and Maime Childs. Officials say Haynes used a hatchet to attack Nelson and Childs in the 1900 block of West Highland Avenue in 2017.

The state was seeking the death penalty against Haynes before he entered a plea deal.

District Attorney Greg Edwards commented on the sentencing and the closure for the families.

“This case was one that was terribly horrible in terms of acts. The state believes that the acts merited the death penalty but with consent of family and desire of family, the state relented of seeking death penalty based upon overall wishes,” Edwards said.

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