CORCORAN – Condemned inmate James Odle, 71, who had been on death row since 1983, passed away at an outside hospital of natural causes on Dec. 18 at 12:14 p.m.
Odle was sentenced to death in Contra Costa County on Aug. 12, 1983, for the first-degree murders of Rena Aguilar and Pinole Police Officer Floyd “Bernie” Swartz. Odle was also convicted of vehicle theft, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, and manufacture/sale/possession of a weapon. He also received enhancements for use of a deadly weapon, being armed with a firearm, and use of a firearm.
Odle was admitted onto California’s death row on Aug. 15, 1983.
There are currently 709 people on California’s death row. More information about capital punishment in California can be found here: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/capital-punishment/
Contact: CDCR Press Office, (916) 445-4950 or opec@cdcr.ca.gov
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