Damon Lawrence roanecounty.com

Both state and federal governments have advised against gatherings of more than 10 people because of the pandemic.

A jury in a criminal trial consists of 12 people. That’s not counting the judge, attorneys and other staff that would need to be in a courtroom, so the U.S. District Court in Knoxville postponed all trials scheduled between March 16 and April 24.

“With regard to criminal jury trials, due to the Court’s reduced ability to obtain an adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the above public health recommendations on the availability of counsel and Court staff to be present in the courtroom, the risks posed to the jurors and the public, the time period of the continuances implemented by this Order will be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act,” the court’s order on the issue said.

Booher’s trial was scheduled to start on Tuesday, April 7. The trial has been rescheduled for later this year.

Booher, 65, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September for enticement and felony sexual offense against a minor while on a sex offender registry. The feds weren’t done bringing charges, however.

A superseding indictment was filed against Booher in November, which levied additional charges against him for sex trafficking of a child, attempted production of child pornography and another count of enticement.

Booher was placed on the Tennessee Sexual Offender Registry after he pleaded guilty on two counts of statutory rape in Loudon County Criminal Court in 2014. He had a law practice in Roane County, but the Tennessee Supreme Court disbarred him following the conviction.

The federal charges aren’t Booher’s only legal issue. He also faces charges in state court for violating the sex offender registry and solicitation of a minor.