A Fayette County man accused of murdering his former business partner was formally notified of the prosecution’s intent to seek the death penalty Tuesday afternoon.

Charles William Sangster, 46, of Ebenezer Road, Fayetteville, is charged with murdering Robert Groninger, 43, of Jericho Lane, Fayetteville. Police said Sangster shot Groninger several times at 1479 Ga. Highway 92 North where Groninger’s tree service was located.

Sangster appeared in court Tuesday and confirmed that he had no problems with the group of attorneys currently representing him. Dressed in a white dress shirt and blue slacks, he spoke calmly and with little emotion when asked to address the court.

Sangster will be arraigned on the murder charge May 25.

Sangster’s attorneys, including Chris Adams of the Georgia Capital Defense office and local attorney Mike Martin, indicated they would seek to raise numerous issues in further proceedings. The extent of the defense inquiry, however, won’t become apparent until discovery takes place, Martin said.

Fayette County Superior Court Judge Tommy Hankinson said he didn’t want to rush the defense, but he wanted the arraignment date “to get the clock ticking.”

Friends and family of Groninger attended the hearing, and Groninger’s mother fought back tears at times. Family spokesperson Kristi Rapson said it was difficult when it set in that this legal process will take quite some time.

Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard announced Jan. 31 that he would seek the death penalty against Sangster.

Deputies recovered the alleged murder weapon at the scene of the incident, police said. Sangster was apprehended minutes after the shooting by Sheriff Randall Johnson, who lives not far from the Big Tree Tree Service building, and another deputy.

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