ALBANY — Ulyster Sanders, one of the two suspects in the 1988 Baby Jane Doe case, appeared in court Thursday, June 5.
Sanders is accused of helping his partner, Evel y n Odom, hide Kenyatta “KeKe” Odom dead body.
New details on June 5 were revealed about Sanders’ alleged role in the child’s final days.
“He’s (Sanders) accepting responsibility for his role in this, and there is no indication from other evidence that his role is anything more than what he described it to be,” the Defense Attorney Greg Edwards said.
“What I am now hearing is that a child was burned,” said Dougherty County Chief Judge Denise Marshall. “A child is in the household, and both parties agreed not to render aid which could have saved the child. Did the child die immediately?”
“Well, actually we anticipate about five days later,” replied Edwards. “The child lived for about five days before dying. And the evidence will show that she (Odom) directed him not to contact emergency medical services. She was targeted.”
“Meaning Ms. Odom didn’t like her own child?” asked Judge Marshall.
“Effect ively, yes,” Edwards answered.
“My concern is: I pursue this plea agreement and then after the trial, I question the fairness of it all, and of course that’s hindsight for me,” Judge Marshall said. “And, I can’t do anything about it. This is a very serious case in my mind. This gentleman was charged with some serious felonies.”
Sanders and Odom, both from Albany, face five indictments, including:
• Felony murder
• First-degree cruelty to children
• Aggravated battery
• Conspiracy to commit a crime • Concealing the death of another In a status hearing Wednesday, June 4 for Odom , Judge Marshall set the trial date for August 11. There will be a motion hearing prior to the trial — set for June 26 at 9:30 a.m.
The courts decided to adjourn the case — stating that the judge wants time to review initial GBI interviews and discuss the terms of the plea agreement before granting a plea to Sanders.
The DA’s office said Sanders watched the ordeal unfold and suggests a motive for murder.
For over 30 years, Odom’s daughter was known as “Baby Jane Doe,” but with DNA evidence, she was identified 2023.
Her remains were found in the woods in Ware County, encased in a television cabinet with concrete poured inside.
According to court records, the child died from having parts of her body put in hot water and burned.
Sanders
