A Creek County jury late Thursday convicted a former judge who was accused of exposing himself by using a sexual device while he presided over court cases. The panel deliberated more than five hours before returning a guilty verdict against Donald Thompson on all four counts of indecent exposure. The jury had requested a dinner break around 6:30 p.m. and sent a note to the judge at 8:49 p.m. that a decision had been reached.
Jurors recommended one year in prison and a $10,000 fine on each count against the judge, 59, who served more than 20 years on the bench in eastern Oklahoma before his retirement in 2004.
Thompson showed little emotion but his wife, Paula, wept as the verdicts were read. He was ordered into custody but was allowed to consult with his attorneys and family before being led away.
Presiding Judge C. Allen McCall set bond at $75,000, which Thompson's attorneys said would be posted Friday morning. McCall scheduled Thompson's formal sentencing for Aug. 14.
The conviction will require Thompson to register as a sex offender, and could jeopardize his $7,489.91-a-month pension from the state.
The longtime judge said the "penis pump" at the center of allegations against him was simply a gag gift that he never used.
In closing arguments Thursday, defense attorney Clark Brewster called the device "a joke."
"Why in the world would anybody have this behind the bench?" he said, holding the pump.
"It's a stupid thing," he said, setting it down.
Brewster left the courthouse and didn't speak with reporters.
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. Foster was one of three court employees who testified they saw him expose himself, but her testimony was the most detailed and covered more incidents than the other witnesses.
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.
Prosecutor Patricia High said in her closing argument that Thompson "decided the rules did not apply to him."
"This is a trial about Lisa Foster's credibility. She is in the middle of a storm she would give a lot to get out of."
Foster hugged prosecutors after the verdict was read but declined to comment to reporters.
High and prosecutor Richard Smothermon said they were pleased with the outcome.
"The same justice system that he abused held him accountable," High said. "the system worked just like you hoped it would."
She and Smothermon said they would pursue a misdemeanor charge of misuse of state property 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.