TIFTON — A Tifton man pleaded guilty Wednesday to murder in the 2020 death of a 9-year-old girl, a statement from the district attorney said.

Semaj Antonio Moss entered a guilty plea for malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, burglary and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony in Tift Superior Court, the statement from District Attorney Bryce Johnson said. He was sentenced to life without parole in the killing of Alazia Johnson on Oct. 5, 2020. The DA’s office had originally sought the death penalty.

All three of the murder counts were related to Alazia Johnson.

“There’s nothing we can do to bring this nine year old child back to her family, but today justice was done, and the citizens of Tifton are assured that Semaj Moss will never harm anyone again,” Bryce Johnson said.

Alazia Johnson, 9, was stabbed to death in the area of Peterson Apartments, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation reports. She was found dead the next morning by her mother.

Moss was known to the victim’s family.