A 23-year-old Connecticut man is behind bars this week after he allegedly admitted to brutally killing his wife with a hammer and knife inside of their New London home, then intentionally set the house on fire in an attempt to kill their 13-month old son as he slept inside, police say. George Dodson was taken into custody on Wednesday and charge with a slew of felonies, including murder, attempted murder, and attempted murder in the commission of arson.
According to The Day, authorities claim Dodson broke down at the scene of the blaze and confessed to murdering his wife out of jealousy and and then attempting to murder his son with the fire.
“I did this. I killed her,” he reportedly told police, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by the newspaper. “We opened up our relationship and she found another man she loved more and I could not stand the thought of it so I killed her”
Additionally, Dodson reportedly confessed to killing Shelby using both a knife and a hammer before lighting fires in multiple places throughout the home. A fire marshal concluded that Dodson lit a couch on the first floor on fire and set two fires in the upstairs bedroom.
In addition to the aforementioned crimes, Dodson is also facing charges of first-degree arson, risk of injury to a child, tampering with physical evidence, reckless endangerment, and cruelty to animals, online court records show.
New London Judge Kevin Shay reportedly called Dodson’s alleged crimes “absolutely horrendous” during his first court appearance on Thursday. Judge Shay ordered Dodson to be held on $3 million bond and issued a protection order prohibiting Dodson from having any contact with his son. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 11.
According to The Day, authorities claim Dodson broke down at the scene of the blaze and confessed to murdering his wife out of jealousy and and then attempting to murder his son with the fire.
“I did this. I killed her,” he reportedly told police, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by the newspaper. “We opened up our relationship and she found another man she loved more and I could not stand the thought of it so I killed her”
Additionally, Dodson reportedly confessed to killing Shelby using both a knife and a hammer before lighting fires in multiple places throughout the home. A fire marshal concluded that Dodson lit a couch on the first floor on fire and set two fires in the upstairs bedroom.
In addition to the aforementioned crimes, Dodson is also facing charges of first-degree arson, risk of injury to a child, tampering with physical evidence, reckless endangerment, and cruelty to animals, online court records show.
New London Judge Kevin Shay reportedly called Dodson’s alleged crimes “absolutely horrendous” during his first court appearance on Thursday. Judge Shay ordered Dodson to be held on $3 million bond and issued a protection order prohibiting Dodson from having any contact with his son. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 11.
