Poultney man who allegedly kept woman’s body in shed wants statements suppressed

An attorney for a Poultney man who told police a woman’s body could be found in his shed says his client’s statements should be barred from evidence.

Steven Barth, a federal public defender representing Wayne Oddo, 53, wrote in a court motion that police pressed on with an interrogation of Oddo even after he asked for a lawyer.

“Because law enforcement did not scrupulously honor Mr. Oddo’s invocation of his right to counsel, all of his statements must be suppressed,” the defense attorney wrote.

The exchange between police officers and Oddo came March 15, when officers went to his home to do a search. Barth’s motion says an officer asked Oddo, ”Okay, so let me ask you this … you know all your rights.”

The defense attorney added, “Mr. Oddo responds by stating he has the right to an attorney and ‘I guess I should try and get one.’”

The officer, according to the filing, then interrupted, “But let me ask you this; you just told us she’s out back. Okay, and she’s dead?”

Oddo than confirms that the body of the missing woman, Alexandra Rooker, 26, of Fair Haven, was in the shed, the motion stated.

“As soon as the body was discovered, Mr. Oddo was arrested, handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle,” Barth wrote.

Oddo was then taken to the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland where he was led in handcuffs into the interrogation room, the filing stated.

The officer then turned the conversation toward a Miranda warning. “‘I don’t want you to be intimidated, but I do … you know I have to read you your rights,’” Barth quoted the officer as saying.

Oddo responded, “I was wondering, I should go get a lawyer — I told you already,” and also stated that he “had nothing to hide,” the motion stated.

The officer then read Oddo the Miranda warning and asked if he was was willing to speak with him.

“After a long pause, where Mr. Oddo seemed to be contemplating the question, the officer reminds Mr. Oddo that ‘if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to hide,’” Barth wrote. “Thereafter, Mr. Oddo agreed to speak with the officer without an attorney present.”

Oddo has not been charged in connection with Rooker’s death. He is facing a federal offense alleging he possessed a firearm while using illegal drugs. Federal prosecutors described Oddo and Rooker as heroin users.

The time of death on Rooker’s death certificate is listed as “Unknown.” The manner of death, according to a state death certificate, was “accident.” The cause of death is given as acute mixed intoxication, with three drugs found her system: morphine, methamphetamine and hydromorphone.

Prosecutors say Rooker may have been dead a week when police found her. The autopsy revealed no signs of trauma, prosecutors added.

Rooker had been reported missing March 8 by family members who hadn’t heard from her since March 2. Rooker reportedly was last seen March 3, when a friend dropped her off at Oddo’s home, prosecutors said.

Oddo had earlier told police that Rooker had been at his property but left, court records state. When police later arrived with a warrant, Oddo told them Rooker’s body was in the shed, according to court records.

In addition to finding Rooker’s body wrapped in a tarp in the shed, police seized several firearms from the home, including an AK-47 rifle.

Oddo also told authorities he let people stay at his place in exchange for drugs, according to court records.

Federal prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office could not be reached Thursday for comment. They have been given until Aug. 11 to file a response to the motion to suppress. Barth also could not be reached for comment.

Oddo is jailed awaiting trial. He can be released to a residential drug treatment facility once his placement at one can be secured, court records stated.

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