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The Louisiana Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and death penalty assessed to Roy Lee Odenbaugh in connection with the 2006 killing of his estranged wife and mother in law.
An opinion written by Associate Justice Bernette Johnson upheld the sentence handed down by a Ouachita Parish Jury following a four-day trial in November 2009.
Odenbaugh was convicted in connection with the Dec. 2, 2006, deaths of his ex-wife, Sondra Odenbaugh and her mother, Jessie Porter. Police had been called to the scene of the shooting earlier in the day and returned after receiving a reports of shots being fired. They found Sondra Odenbaugh dead at the scene. Her mother died later at Morehouse General Hospital. Sondra Odenbaugh’s daughter, Jessica Cooper - who was six weeks pregnant at the time - was also injured in the shooting.
Prior to his trial, court records indicate Odenbaugh wrote to one of his children, hoping to enlist their help in an escape attempt in order to “finish the job.”
The case was tried by assistant district attorneys Mike Ruddick and Dion Young. Fourth District Court Judge Carl Sharp presided over the trial.
The case against Odenbaugh was made primarily on evidence gathered by Bastrop Police Detective Sergeants John Smith and Chuck Wilson. The detectives were killed in August 2007 after being ambushed by a member of the Aryan Circle at the Best Budget Inn in Bastrop.
Fourth District Attorney Jerry Jones said he was pleased with the state Supreme Court’s decision.
“This is one of other appeals that will be filed in connection with the case,” Jones said. “We are confident the other appellate courts who review the case will uphold the conviction and sentence.
The Louisiana Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and death penalty assessed to Roy Lee Odenbaugh in connection with the 2006 killing of his estranged wife and mother in law.
An opinion written by Associate Justice Bernette Johnson upheld the sentence handed down by a Ouachita Parish Jury following a four-day trial in November 2009.
Odenbaugh was convicted in connection with the Dec. 2, 2006, deaths of his ex-wife, Sondra Odenbaugh and her mother, Jessie Porter. Police had been called to the scene of the shooting earlier in the day and returned after receiving a reports of shots being fired. They found Sondra Odenbaugh dead at the scene. Her mother died later at Morehouse General Hospital. Sondra Odenbaugh’s daughter, Jessica Cooper - who was six weeks pregnant at the time - was also injured in the shooting.
Prior to his trial, court records indicate Odenbaugh wrote to one of his children, hoping to enlist their help in an escape attempt in order to “finish the job.”
The case was tried by assistant district attorneys Mike Ruddick and Dion Young. Fourth District Court Judge Carl Sharp presided over the trial.
The case against Odenbaugh was made primarily on evidence gathered by Bastrop Police Detective Sergeants John Smith and Chuck Wilson. The detectives were killed in August 2007 after being ambushed by a member of the Aryan Circle at the Best Budget Inn in Bastrop.
Fourth District Attorney Jerry Jones said he was pleased with the state Supreme Court’s decision.
“This is one of other appeals that will be filed in connection with the case,” Jones said. “We are confident the other appellate courts who review the case will uphold the conviction and sentence.
