State Attorney Bill Eddins announced Thursday the State intends to seek the death penalty against Derrick Thompson regarding the deaths of Steven and Debra Zackowski.
Thompson entered a plea of not guilty Monday to charges he killed and Robbed Steven and Debra Zackowski. Eddins said Monday the fact the Zackowskis were killed together at close to the same time gives prosecutors “a significant aggravating factor” to look at when considering whether to pursue the death penalty, Eddins said.
On July 19, 2014, the Zackowski’s were found murdered in their home in Milton. The investigation led to the arrest of Derrick Thompson. Prosecutors in the 14th Judicial Circuit have said they will seek to have Thompson put to death for the Panama City killing of Allen Johnson, who was found dead at this home July 20.
Both the investigation and arrest were conducted by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Jeff Gaddy is prosecuting the case.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: State seeks death for Thompson