Navy man charged with killing wife ponders plea offer
Sep. 30—The former Navy sailor charged with using a hammer to bludgeon his wife to death and then setting fire to his New London home with his 13-month-old child still inside is considering an offer from state prosecutors that would bypass a trial.
George Dodson, 25, handcuffed and wearing glasses and a khaki prison uniform, made a brief appearance in New London Superior Court on Monday where the plea offer was discussed behind closed doors. Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Carney, who is prosecuting the case, declined to discuss the offer after court.
Judge John Newson explained to Dodson that he has until Nov. 20 to accept or reject the offer, which is expected to require a lengthy prison sentence in exchange for a guilty plea. Newson told Dodson to take the time to speak with his lawyer, public defender Michael Miller, and go over the evidence before making a decision.
"Yes, your honor," were the only words Dodson spoke in court.
If Dodson rejects the offer, the case will move to the trial list. If convicted at trial, Dodson will face the possibility of decades in prison. In addition to murder, which carries a 60-year maximum sentence, Dodson is charged with attempted murder, first-degree arson and cruelty to animals.
Dodson is accused of killing his wife, 23-year-old Shelby Dodson, on July 21, 2022, inside the couple's home at 50 Sherman St. Police said Dodson set fire to the house after the killing his wife with the hammer and slashing her with a knife.
Dodson's 13-month-old was left in a crib in a second-floor bedroom inside the burning home. Firefighters rescued the infant, who was rushed to the hospital for treatment and not seriously injured. Two dogs at the home also escaped serious injury.
Outside the home, police said firefighters found Dodson, covered in blood and soot, in the backyard with what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries. Police said Dodson confessed to killing his wife out of jealousy.
"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," Dodson confessed to police, according to the arrest affidavit in the case.
Dodson, who is from Knoxville, Tenn., had been in the Navy for five years at the time of the killing and stationed on the submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750), which was home-ported at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.
Dodson, while the case was pending, has undergone mental health evaluations. Reports on those evaluations have not been made public. Dodson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains held in prison on a $3 million bond.
