27-year-old man charged with murder of teenager and assault on boy’s mother

Nearly three decades after a teenage boy was found murdered and his mother sexually assaulted in a Tennessee home, authorities have arrested a suspect.

George Robinson has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 1997 killing of 17-year-old James Hutson after his DNA was allegedly linked to the crime scene, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement declaration. press release on November 22.

On September 6, 1997, the teenager was found stabbed to death and his mother, Mary Hutson, sexually assaulted in their home in Kingsport, Tennessee, authorities said. DNA evidence was collected at the scene and submitted for testing. However, no match was found and the case eventually went cold.

WJHL reports Maria died about a year later.

In 2023, investigators reopened the case and began reviewing evidence with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. In May, the 1997 DNA evidence was sent to Othram Labs, a genetic genealogy company based in Texas, and Robinson was identified as a potential suspect, according to the release.

Authorities said they recently obtained a DNA sample from Robinson and compared it to DNA evidence taken from the crime scene in 1997. Forensic scientists subsequently claimed that Robinson’s DNA was a confirmed match to the DNA evidence.

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On November 20, a grand jury indicted Robinson on murder charges. According to WJHL TVFirst Judicial District Attorney General Barry Staubus said Robinson has not been charged in connection with Mary’s sexual assault due to the statute of limitations.

When authorities tried to arrest Robinson that morning, they said he barricaded himself in his apartment in Kingsport, Tennessee. The county SWAT team arrived and attempted to negotiate with Robinson, but he “refused to cooperate,” authorities alleged.

After several hours, authorities were able to enter the apartment, where Robinson shot himself, according to the release. Authorities said he was taken to a local hospital for treatment but did not provide details on his condition.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit regenn.org.