Hodge

"A native of Northwood, Ohio, Jeffrey Hodge dreamed of becoming a policeman for as long as anyone could remember. For Jeff, that was it, everything. He wanted to wear a badge...When he graduated as a full-fledged cop in May 1990, a job was waiting for him with the TU campus force.His first semester on the job, Patrolman Hodge chalked up some impressive arrests. At the same time, however, something had gone drastically wrong although campus officials would not recognize the problem for some time. The same Jeff Hodge was described as cocky, gungho and eager. Some co-eds complained of his brusqueness and arrogance, while others caught him rating as they walked by. Hodge arrested a co-ed for driving while intoxicated, then suggested that they meet later, 'to talk it over.' She indignantly refused and filed a complaint. The mother of another busted girl remembers that it sounded as if Officer Hodge wanted to ask the girl for a date.Melissa Herstum was murdered. A lab report identified microscopic traces of Melissa's skin on Hodge's handcuffs.In May 1993, Hodge instructed his lawyer to seek a plea bargain and prosecutors agreed to waive the death penalty in return for a full confession. Hodge pled guilty before Judge Judith Lanzinger, on May 16. Hodge handcuffed her and shot her. When the body had not been recovered the next day, Hodge had faked the emergency call to Checker Cab, thus giving himself an excuse to 'discover' Melissa's remains.The confession was enough to earn Hodge a life sentence for aggravated murder, with no parole for the first 20 years, plus ten to 25 years for kidnapping and a mandatory three years for using a gun in commission of a crime. It adds up to a minimum of 33 years behind bars, making Hodge eligible for parole in 2026 A.D. at the age 57." This is what Michael said.