Man to spend life in prison after killing Roswell teens

ROSWELL, Ga. — The man accused of killing two 17-year-olds behind a Publix supermarket in Roswell will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Jeffrey Hazelwood, 20, entered a guilty but mentally ill plea during a hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse Wednesday morning.

The plea deal includes two consecutive life sentences without parole, among other prison sentences. The judge agreed to the terms.

The parents of Carter Davis and Natalie Henderson were in court and gave impact statements in court.

"How can I explain coming home from South Dakota, seeing Carter's happiness of talking with his dad only to be gone the very next morning?" Carter’s mother Michele Davis said. "How can I say what the impact is not to have his smile or his giant hugs or spirit of adventure gone, absent forever."

“She’ll never get a chance to change the world for the better," Henderson's mother, Suzanne Henderson, said. "Her daddy will never be able to give away her hand in marriage."

The parents said it is unfair how their children were taken away.

"Carter and Natalie were not supposed to leave this earth on August 1st. I know Carter tried to protect Natalie, but the gun was an unfair advantage," Davis said. "I think our precious kids were unarmed and unaware of the evil watching."

A judge said during sentencing that this case has impacted her.

"I’ve been doing this a long time. I can count on less than two fingers the number of cases that have impacted me like this one has," the judge said.

Hazelwood's attorney said Hazelwood wanted to read an apology to the family, but was too emotional.

The attorney said Hazelwood's plea will help ensure he gets the help he needs.

"Maybe some good will come out of this. That's our hope," Hazelwood's grandfather said.

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The judge ruled earlier this month that Hazelwood was competent to stand trial if he remains on medication for mental illness.

A doctor testified Hazelwood was well enough to understand what's going on in court and is competent to stand trial, even though he hears voices sometimes.

A grand jury indicted Hazelwood on charges of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery, financial transaction card theft, identify fraud, theft by taking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Cox Media Group