KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A federal jury is set to deliberate in the trial of a disgraced Knox County Criminal Court judge.
Richard Baumgartner is accused of lying to cover up a drug conspiracy.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported 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.
U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer dismissed one of seven counts on Monday, related to a November 2009 event in which Baumgartner allegedly lied about his mistress to an Anderson County judge.
Greer said there was not enough evidence to sustain that charge. The defense rested on Monday, and court was adjourned early because of bad weather.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
