State Will Not Seek Death Penalty Against Hot Car Death Suspect: 1 Year Ago in Smyrna-Vinings

Ross Harris, the Cobb County father accused of intentionally leaving his 22-month-old son inside a hot car to die in June will not face execution if he is convicted at trial, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced a year ago this week.

“After reviewing Georgia’s death penalty statute and considering other factors, the State will not seek the death penalty in this case at this time. I cannot and will not elaborate at this juncture of the case,” District Attorney Vic Reynolds said in a Sept. 24, 2014 statement.

It was also announced that Harris’ defense team has asked for and received a postponement of their client’s arraignment. The new date of Harris’ arraignment is Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. before Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary E. Staley.

Harris was indicted on Sept. 4 on eight counts related to the June 18 death of Cooper Harris, who was left in a hot car for seven hours while Justin went to work. The grand jury indicted Harris on eight counts: one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, one count of cruelty to children in the second degree, one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony (sexual exploitation of children), and two counts of dissemination of harmful materials to minors.