Texas man who drowned his 'pregnant' girlfriend's three-year-old nephew gets life in prison

blog
Bobby Woods Jr (pictured), 21, who drowned his girlfriend's three-year-old nephew, Mason, was sentenced to life in prison

Bobby Woods Jr (pictured), 21, who drowned his girlfriend's three-year-old nephew, Mason, was sentenced to life in prison

A Texas man, who told police he drowned a three-year-old boy in 2015 because his girlfriend was pregnant, has been sentenced to life in prison. 

Bobby Woods Jr was 17 years old when he drowned his girlfriend's nephew, Mason Cuttler. 

At the time, he told police that he wanted Mason dead because his girlfriend, Billie Jean Cuttler, was pregnant and they needed space at their home where several families lived. 

A lawyer later said Cuttler wasn't pregnant. 

Woods, now 21, was convicted on Friday of capital murder for Mason's death. 

He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. 

Investigators say Woods pushed Mason into a pond near Lufkin, 110 miles northeast of Houston. 

Sheriff Greg Sanches said Woods was a member of one of three families living at the house.

Woods told sheriff's deputies at the time that he was aware of Mason's age and that the boy could not swim.

Mason Cuttler Mason's body was found on August 18, 2015, a day after he was reported missing while playing outside as his parents cleaned their home

Woods told police he pushed Mason (left and right) into the pond, then turned his back and made no effort to rescue the boy as he cried for help

Last Thursday, Woods(pictured during his testimony on August 15) testified at his trial where he told jurors that his 2015 confession was a mistake and a lie

Last Thursday, Woods(pictured during his testimony on August 15) testified at his trial where he told jurors that his 2015 confession was a mistake and a lie

He said he pushed the child into the pond, then turned his back and made no effort to rescue the boy as he cried for help, according to a complaint.

Mason's body was found on August 18, 2015, a day after he was reported missing while playing outside as his parents cleaned their home, investigators said.

Last Thursday, Woods testified at his trial where he told jurors that his confession was a mistake and a lie, according to KTRE.   

He said statements he made to investigators in the video confession are false and that he would never harm Mason.

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

Woods also told the jury that he was intimidated by police while they were questioning him.

He claimed that he even waived his Miranda rights because he thought having an attorney was for guilty people, according to the station. 

Billie Jean Cuttler, 23, who faced competency issues, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit murder in exchange for a 20-year prison term.

She was initially charged with capital murder in connection to Mason's death.

Billie Jean Cuttler Cuttler who faced competency issues, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit murder in exchange for a 20-year prison term

Billie Jean Cuttler (left and right), 23, who faced competency issues, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit murder in exchange for a 20-year prison term

Cuttler (pictured in court in June) was initially charged with capital murder in connection to Mason's death

Cuttler (pictured in court in June) was initially charged with capital murder in connection to Mason's death

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWKEdIOUbm5qZ4SaxaK%2FjKaYp2WUp7y4usSdZKmqlZy7orrTZp6iqpybv6qxzZ2qZqyYp7KmediemKtln6GxbrrEqZ%2Ber12csrW%2FjKWgn51dpb%2Bqv86nZaGsnaE%3D