Suit Says Police Hid Recorder in Casket

Police hoping to hear a murder confession put a tape recorder near a woman’s body as she lay in her casket at a funeral home, according to a lawsuit filed by the former suspect in the case.

Michael Odom contends it was improper for police to put the device in the casket of his girlfriend, Tracy Lynn Green, in March, 1986.

Odom “had every right to expect complete privacy . . . and did not expect or even envision such an act by a public servant,” says the suit, filed last week.

Police hoped Odom would confess to killing Green, 24, when he paid his last respects, the suit says. Instead, the tape captured comments that would have shown Odom’s innocence, and police then erased the recording, the suit contends.

Police spokesman Chuck Johnson said the department would not comment on pending litigation.