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Hodson murder trial begins Tuesday
Published November 16, 2009
Jury selection begins tomorrow in the 216th District Courtroom in the capital murder trial of Karl Hodson.
Hodson was dubbed the “pizza murderer,” after he and then-girlfriend Jennilee Sheppard allegedly stabbed and killed Pizza Hut delivery man Leon Poe, 27, of San Antonio in 2007.
Hodson’s parents, Karl and Carol, believe their son was manipulated by Sheppard, and the murder was an accident.
“Our son had no criminal history before the incident,” Karl Hodson said. “He was in his second year of college and was studying to become a pilot. He met Jennilee in April, 2007, and she moved in with us shortly thereafter because she had been kicked out of her own home. Karl was very committed to her. She began to come in-between Karl and us — she cut off communication and Karl became very distant. He was really lost.”
Soon after the murder, the younger Karl was called into the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office for questioning after phone records showed his cell phone made the last call to the delivery driver.
“He panicked,” Hodson said. “When it really hit him how serious the situation was, he bolted from the police department.”
Hodson climbed out of a window and ran, even though he was not under arrest at the time. A massive manhunt ensued, and he was arrested the next morning.
Hodson’s father said after his son was captured, he confessed to the murder to protect Sheppard.
“He still was protecting her,” he said. “He even listed her as a dependent on his magistrate form. The killing was an accident. We have evidence we will be presenting at trial that proves it wasn’t planned. He is very remorseful. He came up with a third-party story to protect her.”
Hodson’s dad said after the pair bound the delivery man with duct tape Sheppard had in her purse to rob him, he tried to escape, lunged at Sheppard and fell on the knife. He believes his son had no intent of killing anyone.
Hodson said the family found journals kept by Sheppard that proves she was psychotic, and has posted excerpts of those on the Web site www.friendsofKarl.org.
“He was made a trustee (someone given greater freedom in jail because of good behavior) at the prison,” Karl Hodson said. “She has had multiple disciplinary actions against her. We raised our son in the country to keep him away from things like this. He was really naive — it’s just a tragedy.”
The Hodson family said they have not had any contact with Poe’s family to express their remorse.
When asked if Karl would take the stand in his own defense, Hodson replied, “that is up to the attorney to decide.”
Assistant 216th district attorney Lucy Wilke declined to comment about the case so close to trial. The death penalty will not be sought in the case.
Sheppard will be put on trial sometime after Hodson’s trial has concluded.
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