Robert Hodges, 32, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder Monday after cops found the bodies of his three kids last week. Two were killed with a belt, they said
A Sacramento man murdered his three children – two of them with a belt – on Wednesday, prosecutors alleged Monday.
Robert Hodges, 32, of Sacramento, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder after the bodies of Kelvin Hodges, 11, Julie Hodges, 9, and seven-month-old Lucas Hodges were found in his apartment Thursday.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig said the two older children were killed with a belt, but would not say how it was used or give other details – including a motive.
The charging documents don’t say how the infant was killed; prosecutors say they’re withholding details to ensure a fair trial.
He faces three special circumstance allegations that could bring the death penalty if he is convicted – two of lying in wait, plus multiple murders.
Cops say the belt was used on Kelvin, 11, and Julie, 8 (both pictured with Hodges and his wife Mai). Prosecutors have not revealed how the belt was used in the commission of the killings
Also killed was nearly-eight-month-old Lucas (pictured with Kelvin and Julia) although how he was killed has not been released. Prosecutors said they may seek the death penalty
‘We have not yet determined if we intend to seek the death penalty,’ Reisig said at a news conference.
That decision won’t be made until prosecutors weigh the circumstances of the case – which could take months.
Hodges allegedly committed the crimes after getting involved in a domestic incident with his wife, Mai. Police say she did not witness the killings.
The first court appearance is expected to come later Monday. Officials expect to appoint a public defender to represent him.
The last execution to take place in California was that of Clarence Ray Allen, who was given a lethal injection in 2006 for killing three people.
A neighbor who witnessed Hodges leaving his home immediately after the attacks said he seemed ‘content’, according to CBS Sacramento.
The neighbor said he seemed ‘Absent. He was not in a rage.’
Hodges was taken into custody shortly after midnight Thursday morning by California Highway Patrol officers, who pulled him over on Interstate 80 near West El Camino Avenue in Sacramento, California.
Hours earlier, police had been called to a West Sacramento apartment complex seven miles away for a domestic violence incident.
Police said Mai was also injured enough to warrant an attempted murder charge, but did not witness the deaths. A neighbor said Hodges seemed ‘content’ after the alleged incident
Prosecutors said it will take months to decide on whether to seek the death penalty as the circumstances of the deaths come to light. They are withholding facts to ensure a fair trial
Officers said that first responders tried life-saving measures on the children when they first got to the apartment, to no avail.
Hodges had also been held on suspicion of attempting to kill his wife Mai.
‘She didn’t go to a hospital,’ according to Sergeant Roger Kinney.
‘But what he did to her was significant enough that it did merit a charge of attempted murder from our investigators.’
Mai Hodges’ sister, Lyang Xvang, said the family was not aware of any problems between the couple.
‘They love each other very much,’ Xvang said. ‘I just don’t understand how he made this choice.’
Mai’s sister, Lyang Xvang, said the family was not aware of any problems between the couple, who she described as being very much in love
Xvang said Mai was a victim of domestic violence, but he didn’t know the extent of her injuries.
‘It’s horrific and it’s very difficult to deal with,’ Kinney said. ‘This [investigation] is going to take not hours, not days, it’s going to take a long time a long time to come to grips with what happened there.
‘I’m sure she’s going through a rollercoaster of emotions, so we’re getting what we can out of her as she’s able to communicate.’
Hodges is due to appear in court sometime on Monday. He does not appear to have a lawyer, and a message left to his parents has not been returned.
Simon Morales lights a candle on Thursday at a makeshift memorial outside the apartment where the three children were killed
Hodges is due to appear in court sometime on Monday. Pictured is a view of the memorial to the three children seen on Thursday
The great-grandmother of three children has also said that relatives were unaware of any previous marital disputes.
Irene Aiello of West Sacramento says the couple had been married more than a dozen years. She says the grandparents have yet to speak to their grandson, Hodges, nor his wife.
Kinney said a chaplain will be sent out to help neighbors of the victims, and that grief counselors will be made available to the officers who responded to the scene, as well as the Washington Unified School District, Kinney said.
‘The officers are absolutely impacted, along with the firefighters, and certainly the family, the neighbors,’ he said. ‘It’s horrific and it’s very difficult to deal with.’
This is the outside of the apartment in which the three children were killed. Police caught up with Hodges just after midnight on Thursday as he drove down the Interstate 80
West Sacramento Police Sgt. Roger Kinney said that a chaplain will be sent out to help neighbors of the victims. Pictured: a view of the apartment Wednesday night