More than a year has passed since Alabama offensive lineman Aaron Douglas died from an accidental drug overdose in Florida. The man charged with providing the methadone that caused his death on May 12, 2011 has yet to stand trial on non-capital murder charges.
Odum
Prosecutors hope the trial of Rodney Young Odum will begin by this fall after a lengthy discovery process. Odum, who allegedly sold Douglas the drugs that led to his death, was arrested Aug. 23, 2011. Court records indicate he bonded out of jail Nov. 15 after a September motion for bond reduction was denied.
Odum waved his right to a speedy trial on Dec. 12. The next pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 21. Depositions were taken in January and April with 21 subpenas being served. Several witnesses were served multiple times.
According to Fernandina Beach police, Odum was the cab driver who drove Douglas to the late-night party where he eventually died. Odum allegedly sold Douglas, 21, two methadone pills, which the medical examiner later determined was sufficient to cause Douglas’ death.
“The victim clearly shares some responsibility for the reckless behavior that took his life,” read a statement from Fernandina Beach police Captain James Hurley released last August . “However, Mr. Odum reportedly had a reputation as a mobile drug dealer, making it easy for the victim to locate and ingest the drugs that killed him.”
Douglas had just completed his first spring practice in Tuscaloosa when he died. The Maryville, Tenn., native began his career at Tennessee in 2009. After earning freshman All-American honors, Douglas transferring to Arizona Western College where he played with future Alabama teammate Jesse Williams. He arrived in Tuscaloosa in January of 2011 and competed for the starting left tackle position in spring practice.
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