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Still no verdict for former judge Richard Baumgartner

Updated: Wed 6:26 PM, Oct 31, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT/AP) - Day two of jury deliberations of disgraced judge Richard Baumgartner have drawn to an end, but there's still no verdict.

They will reconvene tomorrow to decide if the former Knox County judge is guilty of covering up a drug ring. He faces six different counts related to the crime. Those counts represent six different times the government says Baumgartner lied to judges, nurses, a prosecutor and a shelter director.

The jury must determine four things for each count. First, that there was a crime. Second, that Baumgartner knew of it. Third, that he failed to report it. And finally, that he took an affirmative step to conceal it.

The verdict could vary for all six counts.

Yesterday the Associated Press reported, Richard Baumgartner is accused of lying to cover up a drug conspiracy. During closing arguments Tuesday, prosecutors said Baumgartner lied to protect his dealer and mistress. If she were in jail, she couldn't get drugs for him or have sex with him.

Baumgartner's attorney argued that the ex-judge was a pill addict and unfaithful husband but not a criminal.

In March 2011, Baumgartner pleaded guilty in state court to official misconduct for buying pills from a felon on probation in his court. He resigned from the bench but did not go to jail or lose his pension.

He was indicted on the federal charges in May.


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