Monday, April 21, 2008

Grand Prairie taxi cab driver murder suspect arrested

By Kirk Dickey of Grand Prairie TODAY

Grand Prairie Police have arrested Eric Christopher Hodges, 31, in connection with the murder April 13 murder of Lois Jean Ivory, 53, of DeSoto.

A Yellow Cab taxi driver, Ivory was found dead sitting inside her taxi in the 100 block of Dorris Drive in Grand Prairie shortly after 9 p.m. that night. Her body has been released to the Dallas County Medical Examiners office for autopsy. She suffered at least one gunshot wound.

Det. John Brimmer said that Ivory was an independent cab driver and therefore it was unclear if she was robbed, because dispatchers did not keep records of her fares.

Hodges was arrested in Alvarado and transported to the Grand Prairie Jail. Detectives will continue the investigation.

"We were able to identify him through cell phone and physical description," Brimmer said.

The public is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 972-988-8477 or the department at 972-237-8790 with any information they may have about the murder.

Police declined to release any more information in the ongoing investigation. Log on to www.todaynewspapers.net for updates on the case as they become available.

UPDATE:

Capital murder charges have been filed against Eric Christopher Hodges in the shooting death of Lois Ivory.

Hodges, 31, was arrested in Alvarado by members of the U.S. Marshals Strike Team, April 15, after a short manhunt. In subsequent interviews with Grand Prairie police, Hodges admitted he shot and killed Ivory during a robbery attempt.

Det. John Brimmer said details of that interview; and the information provided by Hodges will not be made available to the media as this investigation is now a capital murder investigation and any additional information being released could jeopardize the criminal case and/or damage a potential jury pool.

Hodges was to be arraigned April 16.

"The diligence and determination of the U.S. Marshalls Service Strike Team directly led to this arrest," Brimmer said. "Without their assistance Hodges may have fled the area."

Pegasus News content partner - Grand Prairie TODAY

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