United States of America v. Odoms
CHARGE(S): Federal civil rights violations and obstruction charges, conspiracy
POTENTIAL PUNISHMENT: 10 years in prison
VENUE: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio
ALLEGATION: A black Lucas County Sheriff Deputy failed to intervene when his black colleague used excessive force by assaulting an unresisting, handcuffed white teenager. In an attempted cover up, the deputy lied about the incident in departmental reports and gave false testimony at related court proceedings. (Unfortunately, race can be an issue that unduly influences the outcome of a criminal case. The race of the defendant and the victim in this case was included to demonstrate that Mr. Bennett has experience successfully neutralizing the issue of race.)
DISPOSITION: Trial by jury
RESULT: Not guilty of all charges
ARTICLES
Deputies' trial opens in 'abuse of power' case (The Blade)
Deputies not guilty in case of injured teen (The Blade)
