- Retired Judge Masturbation Trial
- •Aug. 18, 2006:
Judge gets prison time for exposing himself on bench - •June 29, 2006:
Jury convicts former judge of indecent exposure - •June 27, 2006:
Former judge testifies he never used sexual device - •June 21, 2006:
Attorney: Cops had grudge against judge on trial - •June 14, 2006:
Trial delayed after jury selection - •June 13, 2006:
Retired judge heads to trial - •Jan. 3, 2006:
Judge ordered to stand trial - •Dec. 2, 2005:
New charges for disgraced jurist - •Sept. 26, 2005:
Conflict of interest delays trial - •Sept. 23, 2005:
Judge accused of masturbating while on bench
BRISTOW, Okla. (AP) — Former Judge Donald D. Thompson didn't dispute that he kept a penis pump behind the bench in his courtroom, but he insisted it was a gag gift given to him by a longtime friend, and said he didn't use it.
It could now land him in jail.
A jury on Thursday convicted the 23-year judicial veteran of four counts of indecent exposure, after hearing days of testimony from witnesses that he used the sexual device on himself while presiding over trials.
The conviction will require Thompson to register as a sex offender and could jeopardize his $7,489.91-a-month pension. Jurors recommended one year in prison and a $10,000 fine on each count. Bond was set at $75,000, which Thompson's attorneys said would be posted Friday morning.
Thompson was accused of using the device during four jury trials in 2002 and 2003.
His former court reporter, Lisa Foster, testified that she saw Thompson expose himself at least 15 times. During one trial in 2002, she said, she heard the pump's "sh-sh" sound during the emotional testimony of the grandfather of a murdered toddler.
Foster told her story to authorities only after being subpoenaed, saying she feared she would lose her job. The investigation into Thompson's actions began after a police officer saw the pump in the judge's courtroom. Thompson fired Foster after the investigation began.
Thompson maintained his innocence, saying the white-handled device at the center of allegations against him was simply a gag gift that he never used.
"In 20-20 hindsight, I should have thrown it away," he testified.
In closing arguments Thursday, defense attorney Clark Brewster called the device "a joke."
Prosecutor Patricia High and prosecutor Richard Smothermon, pleased with the outcome, said they would pursue a misdemeanor charge of misuse of state property against Thompson that was separated from the trial before opening statements.
"He was at the pinnacle of the justice system in Creek County, and now that justice system has held him to the same standard," Smothermon said.
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