[ad_1]
A Florida father accused of killing his teenage son with a heavy-duty saw in a mobile home on Monday had a brief hearing with a judge on Tuesday, during which the suspect made absurd claims like owning the NFL.
Stephen Thomas Rodda, 37, faced a Polk County judge for about 30 seconds during the hearing.
FOX 13 in Tampa posted a portion of the hearing on its website, which begins with Rodda standing in front of the judge.
FLORIDA FATHER CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH BRUTAL MURDER OF HIS TEENAGE SON: ‘EVIL, EVIL MAN’
Booking photo by Stephen Thomas Rodda, September 4, 2023. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
The video shows Rodda telling a judge that he was granted a pardon in Montana, while also providing the fake name of Michael Olnek.
The judge then told Rodda he was appointing the Public Defender’s Office to represent him when the suspect once again intervened.
“I also own the NFL,” Rodda said.
FLORIDA MOTHER KILLS 2 CHILDREN, HERSELF IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE AFTER LOST CUSTODY BATTLE: SHERIFF
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the suspect, 37-year-old Stephan Thomas Rodda, as “nasty.” (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
The judge told Rodda he had reviewed the probable cause affidavit and found there was probable cause to hold him without bail on the capital felony charge.
Rodda is charged with the murder of his son, Stephen Lee Rodda, 16, who was in grade 11 at Frostproof High School in Polk County, Florida.
After allegedly killing her son, Rodda attempted to flee but was taken into custody.
OFF-DUTY FLORIDA DEPUTY ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING LAW ENFORCEMENT AT SPEEDS UP TO 130 MPH
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described Rodda as “mean” during a press conference at the mobile home, where he announced his arrest.
“It breaks our hearts, there are no adequate words to explain how horrific this event is,” Judd said.
The teenager lived with his grandfather, Thomas Rodda, 67, in the mobile home to help him while his grandmother was in rehab.
Photo by Stephen Thomas Rodda from March 2022. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
FLORIDA TEACHER KILLED IN MURDER-SUICIDE LEAVES SECOND VICTIM INJURED: POLICE
Thomas left the house on Monday morning to visit his wife and when he returned around 11 a.m. he met the accused killer.
“I wouldn’t get into this if I were you,” Steven allegedly told Thomas. “I killed someone. You may need to call the police.”
The grandfather, according to Judd, said it was common for the suspect to make “weird” comments.
Missing Florida couple, married for 57 years, found dead in crashed minivan
When Tomas entered his mobile home, he found his grandson’s body in the dining room.
Judd said a preliminary investigation found the suspect used an angle grinder – a type of power tool used to cut, grind and polish objects – to kill his son.
The motive for the murder is still under investigation.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The suspect has an extensive criminal history, the sheriff said, and he moved to Lake Wales about a month ago after living in several states, including Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Washington, DC.
The sheriff said the suspect also had a history of meth use dating back to high school and had previous psychotic episodes.
Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Fox