Prosecution Will Not Seek Death Penalty In Georgia Hot Car Death

Prosecutors announced this week that they will not be seeking the death penalty against Georgia man Justin Ross Harris, who claims to have accidentally left his toddler in a hot car this past June in Georgia while he went in to work.

The district attorney of Cobb County announced Wednesday that the prosecution team, which has accused Harris of murdering his son to rid himself of parental responsibilities, will not pursue the death penalty. The district attorney did not elaborate on the prosecution's decision for not seeking the death penalty.

"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 statement.

Harris' arraignment has been postponed until October 17. He is being charged with malice murder, felony murder and cruelty to children. The malice murder charge indicates that prosecution believes Harris intentionally left his son in the car to die.

The incident took place last June, when Harris claims he went to his job at the Home Depot in the Atlanta area for a seven hour shift and accidentally left his 22-month-old son Cooper in his hot vehicle, strapped into the car seat.

The defendant had previously visited webpages about how long it would take for an animal to die in a hot car, and websites about living a child-free lifestyle. Despite such incidents that the prosecution calls red flags, Harris' wife Leanna has defended her husband, imploring the public to let the court process play out before deeming him guilty.