Judge's conviction tossed

A federal judge has thrown out the conviction of a Clinch County magistrate judge charged with perjury and making false statements. The order overturns a July jury verdict that found Linda C. Peterson lied to a grand jury and to federal authorities. They were investigating alleged corruption in Georgia's Alapaha Judicial Circuit. Lawson ruled that prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence at Peterson's trial to sustain a conviction. Peterson has been suspended since her trial ended.

(Associated Press)

Judge found guilty of perjury

A federal jury in Valdosta has convicted a Clinch County magistrate judge of perjury and making false statements to federal investigators. Magistrate Judge Linda C. Peterson faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines after being found guilty Monday. Prosecutors said she lied under oath to a grand jury when she denied having ever suggested to criminal defendants that they hire her father as a bail bondsman. She was also charged with making false statements to FBI agents investigating possible corruption in the rural south Georgia county.