Judge throws out case against La. Ag commissioner

BATON ROUGE – A state judge threw out all criminal charges against Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom on Monday just as jury selection was to have begun in a case that has dragged on for more than four years.
Judge Don Johnson’s decision came over the objection of prosecutors, who could appeal the ruling.
Odom faced six criminal charges when the day began, including two money-laundering counts and four counts involving theft and bribery. Johnson threw out the money-laundering counts Monday morning. Prosecutors objected and said they wanted a trial delay pending appeal of the decision. Johnson said jury selection would begin Monday afternoon regardless of the status of any appeal.
Monday afternoon, Assistant District Attorney Tony Clayton said he had been instructed not to proceed with the trial while the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office appealed the decision on the money-laundering counts. He told Johnson that continuing with the trial pending the appeal would force prosecutors to try their case in a piecemeal manner.
Johnson refused any delays. “This has been going on for four-plus years. It needs to be over,” Johnson said.
Johnson, ordered a recess, saying that if the district attorney’s office refused to try the case Monday, he would hold prosecutors in contempt. After the recess, prosecutors said they would not proceed and Johnson threw out the remaining four charges.
Clayton said he does not believe Johnson had jurisdiction in the case once prosecutors said they were appealing his decision on the money-laundering counts. It was unclear, however, whether they would appeal or let the case die.
Odom made it clear how he felt. Once the judge made the decision he broke into tears and began hugging family members as supporters applaued.
“It’s over. What is there to say? It’s over,” he said later.