DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- A man convicted of killing his wife and twin 2-year-old sons was attacked in court by a family member of the victims Wednesday.

Formal sentencing for Clayton Jerrod Ellington, 31, was set to begin at 10 a.m. The jury who convicted Ellington recommended a sentence of death Tuesday.

RAW VIDEO: Convicted Killed Attacked In DeKalb Courtroom

Before court even began, a family member of the victims ran across the courtroom and attacked Ellington. The family member was quickly pulled off and removed from the courtroom.

The judge warned spectators that any other disruptions would be "dealt with severely."

SLIDESHOW: Convicted Killer Attacked In DeKalb Courtroom

After a 45-minute delay, Judge Anne Workman of the DeKalb County Superior Court made Ellington the first person sentenced to death in DeKalb County in 19 years.

Workman scheduled the execution for the week of Dec. 2. Georgia law requires an automatic appeal.

Ellington was convicted of murdering 31-year-old Berna Ellington and the couple's sons, Christian and Cameron, at the family home near Lithonia on May 17, 2006. Police said the murder weapon was a hammer.

Ellington called police to the home, first claiming he had found all three bodies. He later changed his story, claiming his wife killed the boys and he then killed her.