Cobb County to seek death penalty against suspect in triple murder at Pinetree Country Club

COBB COUNTY, Ga — Cobb County plans to seek the death penalty against one of the suspects in a triple murder at the Pinetree Country Club.

A judge is now assigned to oversee Bryan Rhoden’s trial.

Rhoden is accused of killing three people on the course last summer, including a well-known golf pro.

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Channel 2′s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell was in Marietta where the key decisions were made Wednesday.

The district attorney was present during the selection process. Judge Robert Flournoy is the judge who was selected. The process of selecting the judge was more like a lottery drawing.

In a matter of 15 seconds, Judge Robert Flournoy was assigned to a major murder case in Cobb County.

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Eight superior court judges were assigned a number, based on their seniority.

The numbers were placed on balls and placed inside a cage. The clerk of chief deputy spun the cage for about 15 seconds and Judge Flournoy was the pick.

The selection happened two weeks after District Attorney Flynn Broady made the court clerk aware that he is seeking the death penalty against Bryan Rhoden, one of three suspects involved in the triple murder at the Pinetree Country Club last July.

Last month all three suspects were formally indicted by a Cobb County grand jury.

Rhoden is facing most of the charges in the 18-count indictment, which includes felony murder.

Justin Pruitt, who is accused of helping Rhoden, is charged with felony murder and kidnapping.

Investigators say Pruitt helped Rhoden duct tape and zip tie Henry Valdez and Paul Pierson before they drove them to the golf course.

Both victims were found shot to death in the bed of a pickup truck on the 10th hole.

Rhoden is accused of shooting and killing Gene Siller, an employee and beloved golf pro.

Siller happened to be at the golf course and wasn’t the intended target.

it’s not clear when the case will be on Judge Flournoy’s calendar but we do know he was set to retire soon.

He has served on a superior court in Cobb County for about 20 years now.

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