Navy vet sentenced for killing wife, setting home on fire with baby inside due to open relationship

NEW LONDON, Conn. (TCN) -- A 26-year-old man will spend five decades behind bars for killing his wife and setting their home on fire with their 13-month-old son inside.

On April 30, the New London Judicial District State's Attorney's Office announced that a judge sentenced George Dodson to 50 years in prison after he previously pleaded guilty in February to charges of murder, risk of injury to a minor, and first-degree arson.

According to an initial news release from the New London Police Department, on the night of July 20, 2022, emergency services personnel responded to a home on Sherman Street to a report of a possible fire. The New London Fire Department extinguished the flames and found an adult female victim and a child. Prosecutors said the woman sustained "significant trauma to her head and torso" and succumbed to her injuries. The 13-month-old boy was reportedly found in a crib on the second floor and survived.

Authorities said Dodson admitted to bludgeoning his wife with a hammer and setting the residence ablaze. According to WVIT-TV, Dodson said he was jealous, adding, "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."

State’s Attorney Paul Narducci said, "Although this prison sentence can never erase the pain of such a horrific and senseless act, the Office of the New London State’s Attorney hopes that this result brings some peace and comfort to the victim’s family and friends."

Dodson had reportedly been a member of the U.S. Navy for five years and was based in Connecticut for approximately three years.

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