Hodgson was convicted on purely circumstantial evidence of the murder of his wife and daughter in Wallasey. On the day in question he went to work as normal and returned in the evening when he was arrested. He was suspected immediately, and was discovered to be having an affair with a waitress.
The murder weapon, a hatchet, was discovered at the scene. There was also a case found with a selection of valuables, as if a burgular had been disturbed, but despite no blood on his clothing, and no link to the murder weapon he was found guilty after just 10 minutes deliberation.
His demeanour in court was detatched, and his attitude to the victims was off hand, which seemed to influence to jury.
An appeal failed, and he was hanged at Walton Gaol on 16th August by John Ellis.
