Tennessee Judge Convicted of Rights Violations in Sexual Assaults at Courthouse

A judge was convicted Friday of violating the civil rights of five women by sexually assaulting them at his small-town courthouse.

Chancery Judge David Lanier showed no emotion as the verdict was read in U.S. District Court. He refused comment as he left the courtroom with his arms around one of his daughters and his former wife.

Lanier, 58, of Dyersburg in northwest Tennessee, was convicted of twice forcing a woman to perform oral sex in his office. She had come to talk with him about a job and had a child custody case before him.

He also was convicted of grabbing the breasts or buttocks of courthouse employees.

“To my knowledge, this is the only case that has ended in a conviction involving a judge as a defendant for sexual coercion under this (civil rights) statute,” said Albert Moskowitz, a Justice Department lawyer.

Lanier was convicted of two felony charges, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and five misdemeanor charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of one year.

Sentencing was scheduled for March 26. Lanier, who was mayor of Dyersburg for 14 years, will remain free on bond and under court order to stay away from his accusers.

A jury acquitted Lanier on three other charges included in an 11-count indictment issued in May. Judge Jerome Turner threw out another charge on technical grounds.

He acknowledged having sex on the floor of his office with one of his accusers but said it was her idea.

The jury also acquitted Lanier on a charge he fondled a courthouse clerk for 30 minutes as she sat beside him while his court was in session.

Lanier was removed from the bench last August pending the outcome of the allegations. The Court of the Judiciary, the state’s disciplinary board for judges, is investigating the judge and will report to the state Legislature, which has the power to impeach him.

Lanier was mayor before his election as judge in 1982. His term expires in 1998.