(Hernando County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announces that a jury has recommended the Death Penalty for 65-year-old Jeffrey Norman Crum. The jury’s recommendation comes on a bittersweet day, the birthday of Jennifer Odom, who would have been 46 years old today.
“Now we can finally breathe. Jenny would be so proud of us, how tough and strong we were through this all. This death recommendation was so fitting it happened today on what would have been her 46th birthday,” said Renee Converse, mother of Jennifer Odom.
Crum, who was found guilty by jurors following his four-day trial last week, was convicted of Kidnapping, Sexually Battering, and Murdering 12-year-old Jennifer Renee Odom. Jennifer disappeared on February 19, 1993, while walking home from her school bus stop in Pasco County. Her body was discovered six days later in an abandoned orange grove in Hernando County.
“This case has never simply been about a criminal prosecution. It has been about Jennifer. For more than three decades, her family carried the unimaginable burden of not knowing who took Jenny from them and why. Last week, the defendant was finally held accountable for his atrocious crime. Now today, the same jury has recognized the extraordinary circumstances of his crimes and has recommended the ultimate punishment,” stated State Attorney Bill Gladson. “Jennifer’s father spoke this week about the importance of justice and what justice would really look like for their family, and I cannot agree more. Jennifer should have been able to grow up, graduate, build a career, have a family and experience all the ordinary moments of life that were taken from her. While no verdict or sentence can give Jennifer back to her family, today’s recommendation represents the accountability for the person responsible.”
The State Attorney’s Office expresses its appreciation to the jurors for their service and to the investigators, forensic professionals, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies whose work over decades ultimately brought the case to trial. The office also recognizes Jennifer’s family, who endured unimaginable grief while continuing to seek answers.
The jury’s recommendation will now proceed to the next stage in sentencing under Florida law. The recommendation itself is not the final sentencing. A Spencer hearing for Crum is scheduled on October 21st at 8:30 a.m.
Published on 08/25/2026.