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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal appeals panel has overturned one conviction against a former criminal court judge who bought drugs, but upheld four others.
The action comes in the case against former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner. He was convicted in October 2012 of five charges of lying to cover up his purchase of prescription painkillers from a mistress.
The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1sZxVnL) reports the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
Baumgartner's drug abuse while on the bench led to new trials for two suspects in the high-profile murder of a young Knoxville couple in 2007. Both were convicted again.
Baumgartner has already served a six-month sentence in the case, but the convictions bar him from collecting his state pension.
His attorney signaled that he may continue to appeal.
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Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
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