Navy submarine technician, 23, pleads not guilty to killing his wife with a hammer and setting their home on fire in an effort to murder their young child.
Monday, Petty Officer 2nd Class George Dodson II waived his right to a probable cause hearing and pleaded not guilty in Superior Court to charges of murder, attempted murder, and arson in connection with his wife Shelby Dodson’s death on July 20.
According to court records, George Dodson claimed police he beat his wife with a hammer and a knife after growing envious of their open relationship arrangement. Police say he told them he started the fire so he wouldn’t have to use the weapons on his 13-month-old kid.
According to court records obtained by the CBS station WFSB, Dodson told detectives, “I did it, I murdered her.”
“She found another man she loved more, and I could not bear the thought, so I murdered her,” he allegedly told police, according to the station’s report.
The kid was discovered alive and was treated at a nearby hospital.
According to the Navy, Dodson is a nuclear-trained electronics technician aboard the USS Newport News, homeported at the Naval Submarine Base Groton.
Shelby Dodson’s sister stated on social media that she is seeking to win custody of her nephew.
George Dodson is being detained on $3 million bail and is scheduled to return to court on September 20. The public defender defending him, Mike Miller, was left a voicemail requesting comment.