Father supports death penalty for man who killed teens

ATLANTA — The father of one of two murdered teenagers told Channel 2 Action News that he supports the death penalty after a jury found the teens' killer guilty Monday afternoon.

The jury deliberated less than two hours before finding William Felts guilty of murder and other charges. The murder happened nine years ago.

[READ: Man facing death penalty in stabbing death of teen cousins]

The father of one of the victim's told Channel 2’s Tom Jones that the death penalty was designed for people like Felts.

The guilty verdict sent family members of the victims, 15-year-old Dell Mattox Jr. and his 13-year-old cousin, Chrisondra Sierra Kimble, into tears.

Outside court, Mattox's father explained to Jones why he was so emotional.

[READ: Man charged with killing teen cousins pleads guilty]

“A huge, huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” Del Mattox. Sr. told Jones.

The jury convicted Felts on 10 of 11 counts, including murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault.

Family members hugged and celebrated with Fulton County prosecutor Pete Johnson after the verdict.

[READ: Man sentenced to death in killing of teens]

“We were really proud of him. And proud of his team,” Mattox said.

Prosecutors argued that Felts was with Jeremy Moody in April 2007 when they stabbed to death the two cousins in a wooded area behind Bethune Elementary School as the teens returned from a snack run.

The assistant DA said it was a robbery attempt that turned deadly.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. Mattox says it’s an appropriate punishment.

[READ: Bond denied for man accused of killing two cousins]

“I am in agreement with it and if that's what he gets, then that's what he gets,” Mattox said. “They don't need to be in society with civilized people.”

Felts attorney argued he wasn't there during the murders.

Jeremy Moody was sentenced to death in 2013.

The sentencing phase of this trial will begin Tuesday morning.

WSBTV