KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — One charge has been thrown out in the federal trial of a disgraced former Knox County judge.
Richard Baumgartner is accused of lying to cover up a drug conspiracy involving his pill supplier and mistress.
After prosecutors rested their case on Monday, Baumgartner's attorneys asked the judge to dismiss all charges.
WATE-TV (http://bit.ly/Q2dDNm ) reports U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer dismissed one count, 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 six remaining charges could go to the jury as early as Monday afternoon.
In March 2011, Baumgartner pleaded guilty to official misconduct and resigned from the bench.
He was arrested this past May on the federal charges.
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Information from: WATE-TV, http://www.wate.com/
