Awkward moments abound in penis pump trial

[rostasi]

http://tinyurl.com/r3nqq

Awkward moments abound in penis pump trial

By SHAUN SCHAFER, Associated Press Writer

Wed Jun 28, 2:32 PM ET

Serving on the jury in an indecent-exposure trial

unfolding in this conservative Oklahoma town has been

a giggle-inducing experience.

Former Judge Donald D. Thompson, a veteran of 23 years

on the bench, is on trial on charges he used a penis

pump on himself in the courtroom while sitting in

judgment of others.

Over the past few days, the jurors have watched a

defense attorney and a prosecutor pantomime

masturbation. A doctor has lectured on the lengths the

defendant was willing to go to enhance his sexual

performance.

The white-handled sexual device sits before the jury

box for hours at a time. Occasionally an attorney

picks it up and squeezes the handle, demonstrating the

"sh-sh" sound of air rushing through the contraption's

plastic tubing.

The jurors sometimes exchange awkward looks and break

into nervous laughter when the testimony takes a lurid

turn.

Thompson, 59, is charged with four counts of indecent

exposure, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

If convicted, he would also have to register as a sex

offender, and his $7,489.91-a-month pension would be

in jeopardy.

Thompson's former court reporter, Lisa Foster, wiped

away tears as she described tracing an unfamiliar

"sh-sh" in the courtroom to her boss. She testified

that between 2001 and 2003 she saw Thompson expose

himself at least 15 times.

"I was really shocked and I was kind of scared because

it was so bizarre," said Foster.

She testified that during a trial in 2002, she heard

the pump during the emotional testimony of a murdered

toddler's grandfather.

The grandfather "was getting real teary-eyed, and the

judge was up there pumping on that pump," she said.

"It was sickening."

The allegations came to light after a police officer

who was in Thompson's court heard pumping sounds and

took photos of the device during a break in the

proceedings.

Thompson took the stand in his own defense, saying the

device was a gag gift from a longtime friend with whom

he had joked about erectile dysfunction. He said he

kept the pump under the bench or in his office but

didn't use it.

"In 20-20 hindsight, I should have thrown it away," he

said.

The R-rated testimony has produced occasional

outbursts of laughter and surreal scenes. A man who

once served as a juror in Thompson's court testified

that he never saw the device, but figured out what it

was based on movies he had seen.

The comment sent sidelong glances through the

courtroom.

"It sounded like a penis pump to me," Daniel Greenwood

testified. He said he had seen such devices in "Austin

Powers" and "Dead Man on Campus."

Dr. S. Edward Dakil, a urologist called as an expert

witness, repeatedly prompted laughter from the jury

when discussion turned to the penis pump. Dakil

defended use of the device after defense attorney

Clark Brewster said it was an out-of-date treatment

for erectile dysfunction.

"I still use those," Dakil testified.

Brewster paused.

"Not you, personally?" he asked.

"No," Dakil responded as jurors laughed. "I recommend

those as a urologist."

Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[Dan Gould]

I remember when the complaint was filed. Nice to see it go to trial ... hopefully he doesn't get off.

[Rooster_Ties]

I remember when the complaint was filed. Nice to see it go to trial ... hopefully he doesn't get off.

[Jazzmoose]

I remember when the complaint was filed. Nice to see it go to trial ... hopefully he doesn't get off.

good one!

[Spontooneous]

After an extended trial on these fluffed-up charges, he will surely achieve his release.

[slide_advantage_redoux]

This could cause lawyers to become afraid to approach the bench with their briefs.

Personally I think the judge should get a grip.

Edited June 29, 2006 by slide_advantage_redoux

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

in todays screwed up world things slip through the cracks like this and you get a judge penis pumping his way to glory in the middle of a trial. i do not think it should have had to go to trial at all i think he should of been indefinetly detained at a federal holding facility and just kept there but america needs a stupid trial to avenge justice so here we have a trial about the history of the penis. it disgusts me. i bet this judge is getting off even TRIPPLE by having this whole thing go to trial and being publiciced so much. grrrr

[Brownian Motion]

Note to Rush: There is life after Viagra!

[slide_advantage_redoux]

Besides the people that had trials held in this judge's court (while he was self medicating as it were), the real victims are the judge's poor embarassed wife and his family. Did you see the picture in that story. This poor lady accompanying her sad sack husband to court looks like she wants to go dig a hole and stick her head inside of it (or maybe a better idea would be to stick him in it).

[AllenLowe]

Here come de judge!

[RDK]

"All rise for the Hon. Judge Thompson..."

[slide_advantage_redoux]

"All rise for the Hon. Judge Thompson..."

Guilty as charged, Jury recommends one year in stir and $1,000 in fines for each of the 4 counts of public indecency.

Bummer to be a judge in prison. I bet he hopes he doesn't encounter anyone he sentenced to time while there.

[Dan Gould]

I remember when the complaint was filed. Nice to see it go to trial ... hopefully he doesn't get off.

good one!

Yeah, but I should have said, "One way or another, he'll be getting off."

[Dan Gould]

"All rise for the Hon. Judge Thompson..."

Guilty as charged, Jury recommends one year in stir and $1,000 in fines for each of the 4 counts of public indecency.

Bummer to be a judge in prison. I bet he hopes he doesn't encounter anyone he sentenced to time while there.

If he's put in any facility tougher than medium security, prison's have policies in place for cops to keep them out of general population. I'm sure they'd automatically do the same thing with the judge.

[slide_advantage_redoux]

Well, he is at least facing some hard time. Maybe he can get his wife to mail the pump to him while he is in!

[Big Al]

If she can't, there are plenty of ready-made "pumps" walking the floor available.....

[AllenLowe]

actually I meant to say "here cum de judge" -