Newspaper Co-Owner Is Sought for Trial

A judge issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for the co-owner of the Antelope Valley Press newspaper after he failed to appear for the scheduled start of his trial in Lancaster on assault, cocaine possession and other charges.

Lancaster Superior Court Judge Charles Horan also increased William W. Odett’s $100,000 bail to $500,000. Odett’s defense attorney said the 45-year-old Palmdale resident, who had previously missed one hearing and been late for two others, planned to surrender to the court this week.

Odett was arrested May 16 after allegedly forcing a telephone book delivery woman to leave his Palmdale property at gunpoint. Sheriff’s deputies said he also had 1.67 grams of cocaine. Odett was jailed by the judge after arriving late for his last hearing Oct. 18 but later posted bail.