A federal court judge has ruled that former Knox County criminal court judge Richard Baumgartner cannot get an early sneak peek at the evidence the government plans to use against him.
Earlier this year, prosecutors charged Baumgartner with seven counts of misprision of a felony.
Judge Clifford Shirley filed a written response last week denying several motions filed by Baumgartner and his defense team.
The motions include requests for early disclosure of certain types of evidence, early release of transcripts of recorded conversations that the prosecution intends to use, and permission to file additional motions in the case although the deadline has passed.
The judge concluded that the prosecution has already turned over the evidence it is required to submit, and early disclosure of other evidence is not necessary. He also contended that Baumgartner and his team didn't give sufficient reasons for re-opening the motion deadline, and granting more time could delay the trial.
Baumgartner's trial is currently set to being on October 23.
He stepped down and pleaded guilty in state court to official misconduct last year. He then received judicial diversion.
We later learned about his extensive drug abuse.