ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A Dougherty County jury has been charged with deciding the fate of Evelyn Odom, who is accused of killing her 5-year-old daughter, Kenyatta “Keke” Odom, and dumping her remains in Ware County in 1988.

Odom faces charges, including:

• Felony murder
• First-degree cruelty to children
• Aggravated battery
• Conspiracy to commit a crime
• Concealing the death of another

She has pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Today, Aug. 26, the state explained what that murder charge entails in Georgia.

“Felony murder does not require motive. It does not require intent to kill. It can even be an accident in the whole of the thing, but it’s still felony murder if you cause a death while you are engaged in a felony against someone... No motive is needed. No intent is needed, even if it’s an accident, it is still felony murder. And this defendant is guilty of this charge because the death of Kenyatta Odom was caused in this instance and that should be your verdict,” District Attorney Greg Edwards said during the state’s initial closing statements.

The defense then explained that the “burden of proof” is on the state in this case and that they must prove Evelyn Odom committed each charge against her “beyond reasonable doubt.”

“Prior to Ring doorbell cameras, prior to the ability to lock your house from your phone, it was when you had a key. When you would leave out of the house, you would get in your car and you would ride down the road like, ‘Dang. Did I lock the door? Did I lock the door?’ When you turn around and go check it, that’s reasonable doubt. That’s what reasonable doubt is. It’s all throughout this case. All throughout this case,” argued the defense.

The defense reiterated Odom’s testimony that she gave Kenyatta to a woman that she knew as “Madea” before she was last seen. The defense went on to argue that certain items that were found at the scene where GBI agents said Kenyatta’s remains were recovered could have been further tested forensically, and that information called into the GBI should have been pursued further, even after Evelyn Odom and Ulyster Sanders had been arrested in this case.

Sanders is Evelyn Odom’s former boyfriend and co-defendant. Sanders testified that Odom ran a bath for Kenyatta that was “too warm,” and that Kenyatta’s feet were burned. He testified that Kenyatta died sometime later, and they took her remains to Ware County.

The defense also raised questions about various testimony presented by Sanders and other witnesses, including:

• If Kenyatta wore diapers
• If the crime scene photos were negatives
• About the estimated age of the remains by the initial medical examiner in 1988
• How many days after the alleged burns did Kenyatta die
• If the GBI sketch looked like Kenyatta
• About chain of custody documents regarding evidence
• And where sanders says he bought concrete to help conceal Kenyatta’s death

The state got the final word before the jury was charged, and they argued that “Madea,” who Odom said she gave Kenyatta to, never existed.

The jury requested to start deliberations tomorrow, Aug. 27. They are expected back at 9 a.m. Stay with WALB on air and online for updates.

For previous coverage of the court proceedings, read and watch below:

• Jury selection continues in trial for Dougherty County mother accused of killing her daughter in 1988
• Opening statements, witness testimonies wrap in 1988 Baby Jane Doe trial
• Evelyn Odom’s trial continues with day 3 of testimony
• Family members testify that Kenyatta Odom was ‘malnourished’ before death
• Family, investigators testify in Evelyn Odom case
• Day four of testimony continues in Evelyn Odom Trial
• Day five of testimony continues in Evelyn Odom Trial
• GBI plays audio interview from the day Evelyn Odom was arrested for the murder of her daughter
• Evelyn Odom Trial Day 6: Latest updates
• Evelyn Odom Trial continues into day 7
• Ulyster Sanders’ GBI interview audio played in front of family for the first time
• State and defense rest in Evelyn Odom trial; closing arguments  expected Tuesday

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.