The U.S. Justice Department will not seek the death penalty in the case of ex-Briarcliff Manor police officer Nicholas Tartaglione.

"As stated on the record this morning, at the direction of the Attorney General, the United States herby withdraws the notice of intent to seek the death penalty in this case," prosecutors said in a letter to federal Judge Kenneth Karas

Tartaglione is accused in a drug conspiracy that included the 2016 killings of four men whose bodies were discovered on a property Tartaglione rented in Orange County.

The men went missing after one of the men was lured to a bar run by Tartaglione’s brother in Chester, allegedly because he owed money for a drug deal. That man brought along the other three, none of whom were believed to have been involved in the deal.

The bodies were discovered in December 2016, eight months after they were reported missing.

A second person has been charged in the case, but their status is unknown.

"We're pleased with the Department of Justice's decision. Mr. Tartaglione, who has always maintained his innocence, is looking forward to a non-death penalty trial where he hopefully will be exonerated," said Bruce Barket, Tartaglione's attorney.   

Tartaglione’s trial is scheduled to begin next spring.