Famed Miss. Judge Gets 18 Months For Lying To FBI

HOLBROOK MOHR

ABERDEEN, Miss. (AP) — Bobby DeLaughter, a history-making prosecutor who became a judge, was sentenced Friday to 18 months for federal obstruction in a case that ended his career and brought down some of the most powerful lawyers in Mississippi.

The 55-year-old DeLaughter, sentenced by U.S. District Judge Glen Davidson in Aberdeen, apologized in the courtroom.

"I do want to express my sincere apologies not only to this honorable court, but to all my former colleagues, the people of Mississippi and especially the people of Hinds County," DeLaughter said. He must report to prison on Jan. 4.

The former Hinds County circuit judge pleaded guilty in July to obstruction of justice. He admitted lying to an FBI agent during a judicial corruption investigation.

Davidson said DeLaughter had brought shame to the profession.

"You've been to peaks and today you stand in a very deep valley," Davidson said.

The bearded DeLaughter fidgeted with a jacket button of his dark gray suit as he approached the bench.