Ex-Big Leaguer Accused of Selling Cocaine : Jury Gets ‘Blue Moon’ Odom Drug Case

A Superior Court jury Tuesday began deliberating the fate of former major league pitcher John (Blue Moon) Odom, accused of selling small amounts of cocaine to a co-worker at an Irvine computer plant more than 14 months ago.

Odom, 41, has denied selling cocaine to Willie Earl Harris, who testified he twice bought the drug from the former Oakland A’s pitcher in May, 1985, in the parking lot of the now-defunct Xerox computer plant in Irvine.

The four-man, eight-woman jury deliberated the case for a little more than an hour after hearing closing arguments. They will resume their discussions today on the two felony counts against Odom.

Odom testified on his behalf that he had actually bought small amounts of cocaine from Harris and had never dealt drugs.

Witness Accused of Lying

Defense attorney Stephan A. DeSales, in closing arguments, said Harris lied in order to get special consideration on his own cocaine possession charge. Harris was arrested minutes after he allegedly bought the cocaine from Odom, and told authorities about Odom’s participation.

Harris’ case is still pending, although the district attorney’s office has denied that promises were made to him in return for testimony implicating Odom.

“It’s a credibility question between him (Odom) and Willie Harris. Willie accused John to save his bacon,” DeSales told the jury.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregg L. Prickett said Harris told Irvine police immediately upon his arrest of Odom’s involvement in two cocaine transactions with him and did not have time “to make up a story.

“He was forward and truthful with the police immediately,” Prickett said.

The prosecution’s evidence also centered on an Irvine undercover police detective, who testified that he observed Harris and Odom engaging in what appeared to be drug transactions on May 17, 1985, and again a week later, the day Odom was arrested.