Man pleads guilty to 2016 murders of father, son at Durham home

"The defendant first shot the son in the back of the head. Then, he shot the father ... three times in his head," Assistant District Attorney Ray Griffis said.

Father and son found shot to death in Durham

Prosecutors said Dwayne Greer Sr. worked for Jones's uncle at a roofing company, and that that uncle became concerned Greer was going to expose some questionable practices involving asbestos.

"Mr. Douglas Jones was hired to kill the Greers by his uncle," Griffis said.

A family member of the victims addressed Jones in court, just after he entered his plea.

"Justice will not be served here today, no matter what your sentence is," said Alice Greer, Dewayne Greer’s sister. "Justice will be served the day you stand in front of your maker."

Judge Jim Hardin told Jones he should thank his lawyer because the punishment could have easily been more severe.

"These facts, at least in my opinion, could have warranted the death penalty if the state chose to prosecute you in that manner," he said.

Alice Greer said it took more than a year to arrest Jones.

"I would have loved to have seen the death penalty," she said. "There will never be closure. How can you walk through life without your family members?"

Jones was originally charged with first-degree murder, but with the plea arrangement, he pleaded to second-degree murder.

He will spend 20 to 25 years in prison.