By David in TN
On Friday, a hearing was held on motions for new trials in the Knoxville Horror. Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood heard arguments regarding Judge Richard Baumgartner's impact. I was in the courtroom.
On Thursday, Baumgartner was disbarred, and he is serving probation for drug abuse. A defendant in his courtroom was supplying him with prescription pills.
Earlier this year, Baumgartner resigned from the bench.
The state wishes to call Susan Jones, Baumgartner's capital case adviser during the trials to testify. Her attorney, Tom Scott, argued that Jones was, in effect, Baumgartner's attorney and should not have to testify because of attorney-client privilege.
Prosecutor Leland Price argued the court was the client, not Baumgartner, and thus that Scott’s argument should not apply. The state feels the judge's decisions should be considered on their own merits, and that Jones will testify that Baumgartner had full control of his faculties during the trials.
Judge Blackwood asked the state to submit in writing the areas in which prosecutors would question Jones. This will be under seal.
The next hearing will be on December 1.
1 comment:
I just found out that after Friday's hearing, attorneys for Vanessa Coleman subpoenaed Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Jamie Satterfield.
The subpoena compels Satterfield to testify at the hearing scheduled for December 1-2.
She has covered the story from the start and has said she plans to write a book on the case. No reason was given for her testimony.
David In TN
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