MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Family, friends and dozens of co-workers of a murdered Child Protective Services employee were in a Montgomery County courtroom on Thursday for a hearing for a man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire, KPRC Local 2 reported.

John Marshall Dodd, 42, is charged with beating and burning Terry Lee, 44, to death. Conroe police said Dodd beat Lee and doused her with gasoline at her home on Fay Street near Toby Lane at about 11:10 p.m. on July 14 in retaliation for breaking up with him.

Lee was found on the kitchen floor. She suffered burns over 90 percent of her body. She was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she died the next day.

Dodd and Lee had dated for three months before Lee ended the relationship.

"He seems to have a real history of violence towards women he's been in relationships with. And when they break up with him, he has a real hard time letting go," Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Mike Seiler said.

The state argued that Dodd is too dangerous to be released on bond. By the time he met Lee, he had already threatened or attacked five former girlfriends or wives, officials said. He served prison time for attempting to sexually assault one of them.

Since his arrest, prosecutors said Dodd admitted killing Lee and that he regularly used crack cocaine, marijuana, whiskey and steroids.

After a short hearing, Judge Suzanne Stovall refused to reduce Dodd's $1 million bond.

The courtroom was packed with Lee's friends, family and co-workers. People remembered her as a single mother and dedicated social worker.

Lee worked for Child Protective Services for nearly 30 years. She was named outstanding CPS staffer in 2005.

"We want to show our support for Terry. She was personally one of my best friends and I miss her daily," said Bernice L. James, with the Montgomery County Women's Center.

Lee's 15-year-old daughter was out of town at cheerleading camp when the attack occurred.

More Information:

Texas Department Of Criminal Justice: Online Information On Offenders
Texas Department of Public Safety: Search For Sex Offenders