Inmate investigated for alleged plot to murder judge

JONESBORO - Officials said Wednesday that a Georgia prisoner is under investigation for allegedly plotting to kill the judge who put him behind bars. <br> <br> Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents are trying to figure out whether Ted Lamar Griffin tried to hire a hit man to kill Clayton County Superior Court Judge Deborah Benefield. That&#39;s what <br> <br> State prison spokeswoman Peggy Chapman says agents interviewed the 54-year-old Griffin at the state medical prison in Augusta and looked through prison records of his telephone use and visitors. <br> <br> Chapman says no charges have been filed against Griffin, although Clayton officials have increased security at Benefield&#39;s home and courtroom. <br> <br> In October 1998, Benefield sentenced Griffin to 20 years in prison for attacking his girlfriend&#39;s ex-husband. He was convicted of aggravated assault, battery, false imprisonment and impersonating an officer. <br> <br> A sentencing review panel later reduced his sentence to five years.