A judge accused of carrying a concealed weapon in a prohibited area after he was caught on video dropping the weapon in a Chicago courthouse has been acquitted of the charge.
After a bench trial, Will County Circuit Judge Edward Burmila on Tuesday ruled the video did not prove the object that fell from Cook County Judge Joseph Claps' jacket was a firearm.
Burmila was brought in to preside over the case due to Claps' relationship with other Cook County judges.
In his ruling, Burmila noted two sheriff's deputies testified they saw Claps drop a gun in the lobby of the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 3 and pick it up.
Claps' attorney pushed the fact neither deputy examined or confiscated the object the judge dropped.
The 70-year-old Claps has been on administrative duties since the incident.
