DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty for a Louisiana man who reportedly confessed to killing his parents, girlfriend and two others in January.
WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge reports that District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said he would pursue the death penalty against 21-year-old Dakota Theriot. Theriot pleaded not guilty in court Monday morning.
Theriot is accused of killing his girlfriend Summer Ernest, her father- Billy Ernest, and her brother before stealing a family car and driving to fatally kill his parents in Ascension Parish.
The shootings sparked a nationwide manhunt, and Theriot was arrested one day later outside his grandmother's home in Richmond County, Virginia. Fearing he would show up, she had checked into a hotel and asked authorities to check her home.
Investigators say Theriot later admitted to stealing his father's handgun and killing the five victims.
Theriot is being held without bond on five murder charges, WBRZ reports.