Closing arguments set for Tuesday in Baumgartner federal trial5:14 PM, Oct 29, 2012
Both sides have rested in the federal trial of former Knox County Judge Richard Baumgartner; closing arguments are set to begin on Tuesday morning.
Prosecutors rested their case Monday morning after calling their final two witnesses. Knox County General Sessions Judge Andrew Jackson and Knox County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Blevins testified that Baumgartner approached them separately in 2010 about Castleman. They were involved in cases against her.
Both men described the encounters as brief, and said that Baumgartner told them to "do what you can do." But, both men also said that Baumgartner did not ask them for special favors for Castleman. That is similar to testimony two other Knox County judges gave in court last Friday.
After the prosecution rested, the defense called only one witness. Attorney John Boucher was appointed by Baumgartner to represent his former mistress, Deena Castleman. Boucher represented Castleman a number of times between 2009-2011. He testified that he met Castleman because Baumgartner appointed him to represent her on a simple-possession charge.
Boucher told the court he did not know about drug deals between Baumgartner and Castleman, nor did he know that Baumgartner was popping pills. He said he withdrew as Castleman's council when he found out about the allegations against Baumgartner earlier this year.
As expected, Baumgartner did not testify on his own behalf.
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