The 28-year-old schoolteacher in Arkansas accused of killing a married couple on a hiking trip with their kids July 26 may face the death penalty should his case go to trial, according to a former local prosecutor.

Andrew James McGann is accused of killing Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, and Clinton David Brink, 43, while the couple took a hiking trip with their two children at Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County, Arkansas.

During a news conference, prosecuting attorney Brandon Carter said he plans to present a death penalty punishment to the future jury as a punishment for the murder charges McGann is facing. 

“This case certainly has the aggravators that exist where a jury should get to decide what the punishment for this defendant is,” Carter said. “And it is my intention to pose that to the jury.”

The trailhead on the lower section of the Devil’s Den trail at Devil’s Den State Park remains closed July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark., as police search for a suspect in the deaths of a couple attacked while on a wooded walking trail.  (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

The trailhead on Devil’s Den trail at Devils Den State Park July 28, 2025, in West Fork, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Wilkinson said there could be several “mitigating factors” that could help McGann avoid death row, including the fact he’s young and has no known criminal history.

“In this case, it doesn’t look like he has any significant criminal history so far that we know of, right? He is relatively young. I’m sure his attorneys are going to be looking very closely, what if he has any emotional or mental disturbances of some kind,” Wilkinson said. 

“If he has a mental disease or defect, that’ll make a big difference.”

While there’s no clear motive for McGann to kill the Brinks, as authorities allege, Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said McGann confessed.

New video shows the moment Arkansas double-murder suspect Andrew McGann was arrested while getting a haircut. (Lupita’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop)

“During an interview with investigators, the suspect admitted to committing the murders. We also executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered items consistent with the crime,” Hagar said. 

McGann was arrested at a Springdale, Arkansas, barbershop July 30 while he was in the middle of getting a haircut.

Fox News obtained video showing McGann being arrested in Lupita’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop.

McGann’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25.

Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.