KINGSPORT, Tenn. (TCN) — A 64-year-old man reportedly shot himself after he was recently identified and charged with allegedly killing a teen nearly 30 years ago.
According to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on Sept. 6, 1997, when 17-year-old James Hutson was found stabbed to death and his mother, Mary Hutson, sexually assaulted in their home on Rock Springs Road. Detectives processed the scene, obtained evidence, and submitted DNA for testing.
A DNA profile was created, but investigators were unable to find a match, and the case went cold. Authorities reopened the case in 2023 and sent DNA evidence to Othram Labs, a private genetic genealogy company in Texas. As a result, Othram investigators identified George Robinson as a possible suspect.
According to the sheriff’s office, authorities recently collected a DNA sample from Robinson and concluded it was a match to DNA found at the 1997 crime scene.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, a Sullivan County jury indicted Robinson on three counts of first-degree murder. Detectives attempted to apprehend Robinson, but he barricaded himself inside his home. Sullivan County SWAT personnel responded and tried negotiating with the suspect, but he still refused to surrender. Several hours later, the SWAT team reportedly forced entry, and Robinson shot himself. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The sheriff’s office has not provided an update on Robinson’s condition.
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