May 18, 2013
A Local 8 Weather Alert has been issued for today. Because of the threat of rain, thunder and even hail, outdoor activities may be disrupted or inconvenienced. What's going on? An upper-level low will be moving across East Tennessee today, creating a more unstable atmosphere.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- After listening through a 40 page motion, the judge in the trial of Richard Baumgartner has thrown out one of the charges against the disgraced former judge.
Judge Ronnie Greer ruled there was insufficient evidence against Baumgartner for one of the counts of Misprision of a Felony that Baumgartner faces. Six more charges will still go to jury.
The final witnesses were brought to the stand. The prosecution brought Knox County general sessions court judge Andrew Jackson and assistant D.A. Jeff Blevins. Both testified Baumgartner came to them when handling cases for his former mistress Deena Castleman, saying he asked them to "do what you can for her."
The defense questioned attorney John Boucher. Boucher said Baumgartner asked him to represent Castleman, something not too out of the ordinary for judges he's worked with.
Once he learned of what he called a "scandal," Boucher withdrew as Castleman's attorney at the advice of mentors. He appeared upset as he left the courtroom.
Baumgartner is not expected to testify.
Closing arguments are set to begin Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
Baumgartner resigned in January 2011 amid a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe of allegations he used a drug court graduate and a felon on probation in his drug court to acquire prescription painkillers. He later pleaded guilty to official misconduct.
The U.S. Attorney's Office indicted him in May on charges of misprision of a felony for lying to cover up a drug conspiracy involving his pill-supplier and mistress.
