Jury Convicts Former Pitcher John Odom : He’s Found Guilty of Selling Cocaine to Co-Worker; Probation Asked

A Superior Court jury Thursday convicted former major league baseball pitcher John (Blue Moon) Odom of two counts of selling small amounts of cocaine to a co-worker at an Irvine computer plant.

“I can’t believe a jury was picked that convicted me when there was no real evidence against me,” Odom said solemnly, minutes after the four-man, eight-woman jury returned with the guilty verdict.

Although his wife, Gayle, sobbed when the verdict was announced, Odom--a former Oakland A’s pitcher who appeared in the 1972-74 World Series--showed no emotion.

Superior Court Judge David H. Brickner set sentencing for Aug. 29. Odom, 41, could receive up to six years in prison for the two felony counts. However, his defense attorney, Stephen A. DeSales, immediately filed a petition for probation. Odom remains free on his own recognizance.

The jury had deliberated the case since late Tuesday and had requested that major portions of testimony be read to them before Thursday morning’s final vote.

One juror said that the panel initially was deadlocked 6-6 on one of the counts against Odom, who was accused of twice selling $100 worth of cocaine to Willie Earl Harris. The two men worked at the now-defunct Xerox computer plant in Irvine.

The two drug transactions, according to the prosecution, occurred May 17 and May 24, 1985, in the plant’s parking lot. An Irvine undercover police officer testified that he saw the two exchanges. Odom claimed he did not sell Harris cocaine during the first incident, and on the second occasion was merely collecting a $100 debt from his accuser.

DeSales also expressed surprise at the verdicts, but was relieved that “at least Mr. Odom has put this portion behind him.”

Odom lost his job after his arrest 14 months ago and has been unable to find regular employment. He said that depression over the case and his inability to find a job contributed to an emotional breakdown last December in which he attacked his wife.

Charges stemming from the incident with his wife were settled when Odom agreed to undergo counseling. A few weeks ago, still unable to find a job, Odom began house painting to earn a living.

During the trial, Odom denied that he had ever sold drugs. He said he had been unfairly accused, and testified that Harris had sold him cocaine. DeSales also contended that Harris accused Odom only to get preferential treatment from the district attorney’s office concerning his own cocaine possession case.

Harris was arrested May 24 of last year, minutes after he allegedly bought cocaine a second time from Odom. His case, however, is still pending, and the district attorney’s office has denied that Harris was promised leniency in return for his testimony against Odom.

“They have their conscience to live with. Mr. Odom and I can sleep at night,” DeSales said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregg L. Prickett said he had expected the guilty verdict. “I am very happy with the verdict. I think the jury took the task to heart,” he said.

However, the prosecutor said he was disturbed that Odom’s case, which he described as “small,” had generated so much news media attention.

Jury Decision Difficult

“I feel it’s an important commentary on our society today . . . when there are so many other serious cases such as rape and murder,” Prickett said.

Jurors said their decision had been difficult.

Linda Oprian, for example, said that although no cocaine was found on Odom when he was arrested, she and other jurors believed Harris when he testified about buying cocaine twice from the former baseball player.

“We were concerned with the quantity of the evidence (against Odom), but in the end we thought there was sufficient evidence,” Oprian said.

Nevertheless, juror Kimberly Livingston said the panel had “tried very hard to believe him (Odom).”

“I really wanted to believe him. I think he’s a very nice guy,” Oprian added.