Harford County woman convicted of murder in arson fire that killed four housemates
(Bobbie Sue Hodge, Image credit: YouTube)
On October 24, Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, Maryland, announced that a Harford County jury found Bobbie Sue Hodge, 63, of Edgewood, Maryland, guilty of arson in the first degree, four counts of felony murder, and three counts of assault in the second degree stemming from an intentional fire she started on May 9, 2019 at 1862 Simons Court in Edgewood, Maryland. Hodge faces a maximum penalty of four life sentences plus 60 years.
On May 9, 2019, at 2:28 a.m., a third-floor occupant of the dwelling, Ernest Lee, called 911 to report a fire at 1862 Simons Court. Members of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department were the first to respond to the blaze. By 2:35 a.m. when the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department arrived, the third floor of the townhouse was completely engulfed in flames. Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department, Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Department, and Baltimore County-Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department, also responded to the fire.
2019, After the fire . . .
The dwelling was a three-story townhome in Edgewood which officials described as an un-licensed boarding house.
Ernest Lee, Dionne Hill, and Kimberly Shupe who were all on the third floor, perished in the fire. Another third-floor occupant was able to escape the fire by jumping out of his third-floor bedroom window. He sustained a broken ankle and arm.
The Defendant and two other basement occupants were able to escape to safety. Mary Elizabeth Kennedy who was living on the second floor was rescued by fire personnel and transported to an area hospital for treatment of her burns. Tragically, Ms. Kennedy later died from her injuries, perishing on January 22, 2020.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation of the fire. After interviewing numerous witnesses including the occupants of the house, neighbors, and the Defendant, review of the 911 calls, and consulting with experts at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, the Defendant – Bobbie Sue Hodge – was arrested for arson and murder.
The jury trial took place from October 5, 2022, until the verdict was reached on October 24, 2022.
“This tragedy shocked our Harford County community,” said Mr. Peisinger. “It is my hope that this verdict is a first step towards healing for the surviving victims and the families of those who lost loved ones.”
(Source: Office of the States Attorney For Harford County Maryland)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
