BRUNSWICK, Ga. – One of the three people accused in the slaying of a 6-year-old Brunswick boy made a plea deal Wednesday that could save her from the death penalty.
Peggy Edenfield and her husband and son, David and George Edenfield, face murder, kidnapping and sexual assault charges in the death of Christopher Barrios.
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Investigators say Christopher was sexually assaulted and choked to death in the Edenfields' trailer across the street from his grandmother's home. He had been missing for a week when police found his body March 15 about three miles from his trailer-park home just outside Brunswick, a port city 60 miles south of Savannah.
The plea agreement Peggy Edenfield took is expected to bolster the state's case because according to the deal, Peggy Edenfield will have to take the stand against her co-defendants, telling exactly what happened with Christopher.
The agreement also includes Peggy Edenfield's testimony against Donald Dale, who is charged with helping to dispose of Christopher's body.
David Edenfield's attorney told Channel 4 the agreement would hurt his case.
However, Dale's attorney, John Wetzler, said he was not worried about the Peggy Edenfield's plea deal.
"I have thoroughly reviewed all of what Peggy Edenfield might have to say, and with that in mind we'll get a good trial," Wetzler said.
"If she's willing to testify so the three men won't walk and she won't ever get out of prison, that might be something really to think about," said Christopher's grandmother, Sue Rodriquez.
Rodriquez said the only reason the plea agreement concerned her was because it could mean Peggy Edenfield could some day be eligible for parole.
She said she would do everything in her power to make sure Peggy Edenfield is not released.
"If I'm still walking this earth, I'll be there to make sure she don't. I want to see she never gets out on the streets," Rodriquez said.
All three Edenfields and Dale have pleaded not guilty to killing Christopher.
A judge is expected to approve Peggy Edenfield's plea agreement sometime in January.