Marietta Man Pleads Guilty To Killing 2 Cobb Deputies

MARIETTA, GA — The man accused of killing two Cobb County deputies Sept. 8 has pleaded guilty and will serve life in prison without parole, Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady said Thursday.

Christopher Golden pleaded guilty to malice murder and other charges Thursday, Broady said.

Golden is accused of shooting and killing deputies Marshall Samuel Ervin Jr., 38, and Jonathan Randall Koleski, 42, while the deputies were trying to serve a warrant on Christopher Cook, who was also arrested in connection with the shooting.

The shooting took place in the 2400 block of Hampton Glen Court.

He was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus 55 years, Broady said. As part of the plea, Golden waived all post-conviction relief, including parole, clemency or pardon, Broady said.

Golden's guilty plea meant he would avoid a death penalty trial, as the district attorney's office was requesting.

Broady said though his office was prepared for a death penalty case, they spoke with the families multiple times.

"This will allow the families to avoid years of being exposed to additional hearings and an even longer appellate process," Broady said. "Although nothing will replace the lives of Marshall and Jon, this plea today will allow their families to put the case behind them and focus on healing."

Golden's sentencing is the maximum he could receive short of the death penalty, Broady said.

The shootout happened three months ago outside of the Marietta home where both suspects lived, Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said at the time of the shooting. Shots came from inside of the house, he said.

While trying to arrest Cook, the deputies were confronted by Golden, who had a gun, VanHoozer said. He said Golden refused to put down the gun as the deputies asked, which led to the shooting.

The warrant Ervin and Koleski were attempting to serve on Cook was for failure to appear for theft by deception, authorities said.

Cook's case is still pending, Broady said.

Cobb County Sheriff Craig D. Owens Sr. said Sept. 8 is the day lives were forever changed.

Thursday was an "emotional day for the wives, for the families of two honorable men," Owens said.

"Our hearts still hurt. But tonight we will sleep a little sounder now that this portion of the case is behind us," Owens said.

"Through the grace of God and the love and support of the community, the families of Jon and Marshall – both blood and blue – will become stronger in the broken places."