Pill addict former judge in Knox County goes to prison

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A former Knox County judge has reported to federal prison for lying to investigators.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported Richard Baumgartner checked into the work camp at Gilmer medium-security prison in Glenville, W. Va., on Wednesday.

Baumgartner's lawyer, Don Bosch, said his client will be assigned a job within a week. Baumgartner is serving a six-month sentence.

He was convicted of lying to disguise his buying of prescription painkillers from a mistress.

His drug abuse led to new trials for two Lebanon, Ky., suspects in the kidnapping and torture killings of a young Knoxville couple in 2007. Both were again convicted.

Baumgartner is appealing his conviction.

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