Members of Joseph Whitehead’s family will light a candle Friday to honor the life of the late Bibb County deputy, who was killed six years ago while helping serve a warrant.

“Daily, weekly, monthly we focus on remembering how he lived, the happiness he brought into our lives and the lives that he touched during his time here on Earth,” Lisa Whitehead, the deputy’s sister, said in a written statement.

Although Damon Antwon Jolly and Antron Fair were arrested March 23, 2006, the same day that Whitehead was slain, their cases have not gone to trial. Jolly, 26, and Fair, 27, could face the death penalty if they’re convicted.

Lisa Whitehead said her family struggles daily with the fact that no trial date has been set.

“The family deserves a trial,” she said. “Deputy Whitehead deserves justice.”

Prosecutors announced that they were seeking the death penalty against Jolly and Fair on April 4, 2006.

Since then, the case against both men has been re-indicted and sent to the Georgia Supreme Court for pretrial review on two occasions.

In November 2010, the court ordered that a hearing be held to determine whether there was a conflict of interest in Fair and Jolly’s being represented by Georgia Capital defenders. A hearing had been held on the issue in 2009, but Fair wasn’t present. The high court ruled that the hearing should be repeated either with Fair in the courtroom or with him waiving his right to be present.

The conflict hearing was reheld Nov. 16, 2011. The judge hasn’t ruled yet.

District Attorney Greg Winters said prosecutors, like the Whitehead family, are concerned that the cases have gone so long without a trial.

“But we want to make sure everything is done correctly,” he said. “This case means a lot to us in the district attorney’s office and those of us who knew Joe and the person he was.

“It’s what he deserves.”

Prosecutor Kimberly Schwartz said there’s been no recent discussion of a trial date.

Phone messages left this week for attorneys representing Jolly and Fair were not returned.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.