The New London man charged with bludgeoning his wife to death with a hammer out of jealousy over another man is now the subject of a wrongful civil lawsuit filed by his wife’s family.
George Dodson is charged with murder in the July 20, 2022 death of his wife, 23-year-old Shelby Dodson. He additionally faces charges of arson and risk of injury to a minor for setting a fire to his Sherman Street home with his 13-month-old son still inside.
Dodson, a former Navy sailor who appeared in New London Superior Court on Thursday, was given more time to consider a 50-year-prison sentence offered by state prosecutors in exchange for a guilty plea in the case. Under terms of the offer, Dodson would have the opportunity to argue for less time in prison at his sentencing before Judge John Newson. If he does plead guilty to murder, the least he could get is 25 years in prison, which is the minimum mandatory sentence.
The civil lawsuit, dated July 19, was filed by Sylvonna White, the sister of Shelby Dodson and the adoptive mother of Dodson’s son, Everett Dodson. In addition to Dodson, the lawsuit names Progressive Casualty Insurance Company. Sylvonna White is represented in the lawsuit by Waterford attorney Elizabeth Sabilia.
The nine-count lawsuit, which seeks an unspecified amount of damages, alleges among other things that Dodson intentionally placed his son in a crib in the second-floor bedroom and lit a fire in adjacent rooms.
“The minor child suffered incalculable immeasurable damages,” the suit reads.
Sabilia, in an email on Friday, declined comment and said the family asks for privacy in the matter. Court records show that George Dodson and White, who is the administrator for the estate of Shelby Dodson, are named as a defendant in foreclosure proceedings started by the mortgage holder Mortgage Research Center, LLC, doing business as Veterans United Home Loans.
George Dodson has remained held in prison on a $3 million bond since his arrest on the day of his wife’s death. New London police said Dodson admitted killing his wife out of jealousy. He said he and his wife had agreed to an open relationship but that she had found another man.
“I could not stand the thought of it so I killed her,” Dodson told police, according to the affidavit for his arrest warrant.
Investigation into Shelby Dodson’s murder started on July 20, 2022 when firefighters were called out to reports of heavy smoke coming from the Dodsons’ home at 50 Sherman St. Shelby Dodson’s body was discovered inside. The toddler was rescued by firefighters from the second-floor bedroom.
Shelby Dodson had died from blunt force trauma to her head, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded.
With the Navy, Dodson was assigned to the USS Newport News submarine, which was homeported at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. Dodson is originally from Knoxville, Tenn., and had been with the Navy for five years, living in New London for the past two years.
Dodson is due to appear again in New London Superior Court on Feb. 19, at which time he is expected to either accept the state’s offer or opt for a trial.
g.smith@theday.com