Judge in Scruggs Case Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice

Mississippi Judge Bobby DeLaughter pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal obstruction of justice charge, ending a respected legal career that had been sullied by scandal. Prosecutors dropped charges of conspiracy and mail fraud against DeLaughter, who was accused of giving an unfair advantage to former attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs in a dispute over millions of dollars in fees from asbestos lawsuits. Prosecutors have said the promise of a federal judgeship drew DeLaughter into the scheme.