George Albert Hodge, a 35-year-old with eight prior felony convictions, was granted a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond by 185th Criminal District Court Judge Jason Luong for a felony evading arrest charge. Weeks later, Hodge allegedly murdered 61-year-old Good Samaritan Greg Downs after a motel robbery in Houston. This incident raises questions about the judicial system’s handling of repeat offenders and the use of PR bonds.
Hodge’s criminal history dates back to 2006, with repeated incarcerations in county jails and prisons. Despite this, Judge Luong granted him a PR bond, allowing him to be released without posting bail. Within two weeks, Hodge violated his bond conditions and failed to appear in court, becoming a fugitive.
On November 3rd, 2023, Hodge allegedly stole a car and committed a series of robberies at a motel on the Northwest Freeway. Greg Downs, witnessing the crime, heroically recorded Hodge’s license plate. This act led to a confrontation where Hodge allegedly stabbed Downs, fatally wounding him.
Downs’ daughter, Ashley Ballesteros, expressed her grief and called for accountability within the judicial system. “These judges need to be held accountable for granting people like George Albert Hodge bond,” she stated. Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers highlighted Hodge’s extensive criminal record, emphasizing the system’s failure in detaining a known repeat offender. “Basically from 2006 until right now, he’s been in and out of county jails and prisons. He’s got eight prior felony convictions,” Kahan said.
Downs briefly regained consciousness in the hospital, recognizing his daughters by his side. This provided a moment of solace before he succumbed to his injuries. The tragedy highlights the devastating consequences of releasing repeat offenders on PR bonds. The case of George Albert Hodge underscores the need for a thorough review of the judicial process, particularly concerning the assessment of risk when granting PR bonds to individuals with extensive criminal histories. Downs’ death raises significant concerns about public safety and the potential for future tragedies under similar circumstances.
Ballesteros eloquently summarized the family’s profound loss, “It’s just unfathomable… losing someone you love is heartbreaking, but losing them to murder, it’s gut-wrenching really.” This case serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between individual rights and public safety, a balance that was tragically disrupted in the case of George Albert Hodge and Greg Downs.
