Oconee man pleads guilty in murders of mother, stepfather

There is a guilty plea from an Oconee County man accused of killing his mother and stepfather: Peyton Moyer was charged in the October 2021 murders of Ashley Schutza and Benjamin Smith, who were shot and killed at a home on Bouldercrest Circle in Oconee County. Moyer’s guilty pleas came Thursday. A date for sentencing has not been set.

From WSB TV…

A man accused of shooting and killing his mother and stepfather has pleaded guilty.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened in the early morning hours of October 28, 2021.

When deputies arrived at the home on Bouldercrest Circle, they found two people dead from gunshot wounds.

Authorities identified the victims as the suspect’s mother, Ashley Schutza, and his stepfather, Benjamin Smith.

Two minors were in the home but were unharmed.

The suspect identified as Schutza’s son, Peyton Moyer, had taken one of the victims’ cars and drove away.

After a short chase with Athens-Clarke County Police, Moyer was found and arrested.

Thursday morning, Moyer pleaded guilty to two counts of malice murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and cruelty to children.

“While this verdict cannot undo the damage done in this tragic incident, we are pleased with the guilty plea as it will hopefully save the family the additional trauma of a prolonged trial. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims,” the department wrote.

A date has not been announced for Moyer’s sentencing.

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