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Orangefield Man Guilty of Manslaughter, Other Trials Pending
News KBMT
Bryan Rupp
Story Created:
May 20, 2009 at 3:44 PM CST
Story Updated:
May 21, 2009 at 9:29 AM CST
The Orange county jury handed down a guilty verdict on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 to 19-year-old Jacob Cody Dodge. The verdict was guilty of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Dodge is accused of killing 18-year-old Brandon Covington.
On Wednesday, the jury began the process of deciding how long the teenager may have to spend in prison.
KBMT 12 News Diane Dean has our story.
Dodge took the stand apologizing to the victim's family. He said, "I'm sorry I wish I could change my life."
But he also became agitated with questions from prosecutors saying, "how long do you want me in prison?"
The defendants sister told KBMT 12 News ABC/NBC that "Jacob is not the dangerous person everyone is making him out to be" saying he just had a terrible string of bad luck.
That string began on September 16, 2007. The jury ruled then 17-year-old Jacob Dodge shot Brandon Covington to death in an accident while the two were "messing around" with a gun.
"It never should have happened" said Covington. The victim's father says he misses Brandon's smile and wishes he was still here.
At 19-years-old the convicted Jacob Dodge has lost his mother and father has been found guilty in the death of his friend Brandon and is accused of being responsible for the death of another man, Dustin Ousely.
Ousely died in September 2007, in a car that crashed while dodge was driving.
Ousely's grandmother told KBMT 12 News that Dustin was all she had left.
And Dodge also faces a charge of aggravated assault stemming from a 3rd incident in February of 2009.
He's accused of slashing another man with a knife after the two argued over a girl.
Even after all these incidents, the defendant's brother is quick to come to Dodge's defense.
"He is not a bad kid and knows he has to pay for what he's done, tragic accident doesn't say enough but he didn't do this on purpose" said Dodge's brother.
Jacobs visibly upset aunt says he's a good kid who has made some bad choices. "I hope the jury comes back with a fair verdict 20 years won't bring those boys back."
Jacob's bond was revoked and spent the night in jail.
Closing arguments in the punishment phase began Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Jacob Dodge will most likely hear the judgment of his punishment on the death of Brandon Scott Covington on Thursday.
The trial dates for Dodge's other indictments have not yet been set.
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Thursday, May 21 at 10:59 PM Mommaof3boys (continued) wrote ...
and her saying "Jacob is not the dangerous person everyone is making him out to be"...Well Im sorry dear but actions speak louder than words and he has actions are SCREAMING COLD BLOODED MURDERER...Maybe he will get what he deserves in prison...
Thursday, May 21 at 10:53 PM Mommaof3boys wrote ...
9 yrs is not even close to being enough for this hooligan and for him to be eligible for parole in 4 1/2 that's just ludicrous...Don't get me wrong I feel bad for his family but as a Mother I feel sorry for the parents who lost their children because of this miscreant...For him to kill one of his friends then turn around two weeks later and kill another one...not to mention stabbing a 3rd guy in the face over a girl...That doesnt seem to be a "terrible string of bad luck" as his sister put it a
Thursday, May 21 at 7:55 PM Coby Covington(brother) wrote ...
i think jacob did it on purpose and that he should pay for what he did and not gripe about what he gets. He did it, he deserves every bit of jail time he gets. he took what meant most to me and it really tics me off that he did and even though justice was served i still dont think it is good enough because all i have of scott is memories and that will never be enough. i hope all the charges put together will keep jacob in jail for a long time. but we'll never know what happened in that room
Thursday, May 21 at 5:38 PM Orangefield Mom wrote ...
I feel for his family but Jacob has no right to be free or happy. He took away 2 special people and there right to live. He feel nothing and his actions has hurt Scott and Dustin's friends & family. I feel sorry for know one who can do that to someone else. At least he is still alive and his family can talk & see him. We will have to wait till we leave here and meet God so we can see Scott & Dustin.He got off easy free meals, a/c and free room and board.That we pay for.
Thursday, May 21 at 3:50 PM orangefield resident wrote ...
They say he has a some bad luck,,,,,,,,who hasn't, no one else goes around killing people, nothing will ever bring Scott or Dustin back, but at least Jacob still has his family, he took that away from them. He deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars. He is a cold blooded killer and needs to be punished for what he did. He played God and took 2 young lifes away, now his should be spared,,, okay lets do that, and see who else he kills, he is like a time bomb waiting too explode.
Thursday, May 21 at 1:30 PM James Floyd Sr. wrote ...
Please God have mercy on him.... People are making Jacob out to be a cold blooded killer, Jacob would do anything to trade places with Brandon and Dustin. May God Bless Them
Thursday, May 21 at 10:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...
The reason he killed Dustin Ousley right after he shot Brandon Covington was because Dustin witnessed the shooting and was going to go to the police and that would have proved that the shooting was not an accident. Jacob was trying to kill Dustin when he wrecked the car. He should get the max jail time and should never be let out again.
Thursday, May 21 at 9:03 AM ME wrote ...
Please give him the max...he killed another "friend" one week after he shot Covington. He's bad news and will surely hurt or kill someone else if not stopped.
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