Mississippi Judge Bobby DeLaughter Indicted in Bribery Case

Clarion Ledger reports:

The former prosecutor who made a worldwide name for himself for putting Klansman Byron De La Beckwith behind bars pleaded not guilty today to a five-count indictment in court, accused of ruling in favor of the former lawyer once called Mississippi's "king of torts."

An April 6 trial was set for Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter in federal court in Oxford on a charge he was influenced to rule in favor of former high-profile lawyer Dickie Scruggs, who was sentenced this week to seven years in prison in the case.

DeLaughter, who entered the courtroom wearing a dark suit and handcuffs and leg irons, was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bob Norman shook DeLaughter's hand in the courtroom and said, "I'm sorry we even have to be here."

DeLaughter has maintained his innocence, saying he followed the law in ruling largely in Scruggs' favor in a legal-fees lawsuit brought by Scruggs' former law partner, Bob Wilson.

No word yet from Trent Lott on this one.