State will seek death penalty for man accused of killing 5-year-old Wilson boy

Family members said Cannon Hinnant was riding his bike outside his father's house on Archers Road when he was shot in the head. The boy's two sisters, ages 8 and 7, saw their brother get shot, according to Hinnant's mother.

"I pray he gets the death penalty. We will fight for that till the end. That’s what we’re hoping for," said Bonny Parker, Cannon Hinnant's mother. "It would mean the closest we can get to justice for Cannon.​" ​​

'My baby didn't deserve this:' Cannon Hinnant's mother shares heartbreak after 5-year-old's murder

Cannon Hinnant's father, Austin Hinnant, said there was no "bad blood" between him and his neighbor, and it is still unclear why Sessoms shot the boy.

Sessoms stood before Cannon Hinnant’s family for the first time since prosecutors said he shot and killed their 5-year-old son. It was an emotional day for the family, but they said this is the process they have to go through to get justice.

"It’ll never bring my child back. But I want him to admit and stand up to what he done to my child," Parker said. "It was hard walking in there and having to face someone who took my baby."

During the court appearance, Parker wore a t-shirt with her son's face on it. Sessoms appeared to show no emotion as the state announced they were seeking the death penalty for him.

"That was for the purpose of him being able to see Cannon’s face again," Parker said. "I’m hoping that him seeing Cannon’s face again, he lays down tonight and doesn’t sleep."

Sessoms was appointed a second attorney for his capital case and has his next court appearance on April 10.