Proposed testimony aims to establish former judge Donald Thompson's behavior

Saturday, July 30th 2005, 9:16 pm

By: News On 6

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) _ Prosecutors hope to use testimony that is mostly unrelated to three indecent exposure charges to show that a former Creek County judge engaged in other inappropriate sexual behavior beyond what he is charged with.

Former District Judge Donald D. Thompson, 58, is scheduled to go on trial Sept. 26 on the indecent exposure charges, which allege he used a sexual device while presiding over trials in 2003.

The proposed testimony outlined in a motion filed Friday does not involve the device, but instead is aimed at showing a pattern of behavior by Thompson, according to the motion.

The motion claims one new witness will testify that Thompson exposed himself to her and made lewd proposals one night when she was working as his court reporter. It claims another woman said she is involved in a sexual relationship with Thompson and photos found on Thompson's computer show her and Thompson engaging in a sexual act.

Thompson retired in August after the Council on Judicial Complaints filed a petition for his removal. The move allowed him to collect $88,800 a year for life in retirement benefits. He has denied the allegations, and said the device was just a gag gift received from a hunting buddy on his 50th birthday.

Two courthouse employees will testify that they found a condom and prescription bottles of sexual-enhancement drugs when they cleaned out Thompson's office after his retirement, according the motion.

In addition to the criminal trial, two women have filed lawsuits against Thompson, claiming they were fired because of Thompson's alleged acts.

Lisa Foster, a court reporter, claims in her lawsuit that Thompson had her fired because she had reported his purported behavior to the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints.

Zelma Hindman, a secretary and bailiff, claims Thompson fired her because he believed she had testified before the council and had given evidence to investigators.