EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Day one of sentencing is underway for Mark Wright, the uncle of two Effingham County children whose bodies were found buried behind their family’s home in 2018.

Wright has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection to the deaths of his niece and nephew, 14-year-old Mary Crocker and Elwyn Crocker Jr.

Below is an interactive map showing how the victims and defendants are connected, as well as the charges the defendants face:

During Wednesday’s hearing, family members, including Mark Wright’s aunt— testified about his character.

She described Wright as the “cool uncle” and said he often provided gifts and clothes for the children.

But prosecutors detailed the horrific abuse both Mary and her brother Elwyn “Jr” Crocker Jr. endured inside that home.

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