Judge that pulled gun in court resigns

ATLANTA - A Lumpkin County Superior Court Judge announced his retirement Wednesday after facing scrutiny for brandishing a handgun in court.

Judge David Barrett's retirement is effective Thursday, according to his resignation letter to Gov. Nathan Deal.

District attorney Jeff Langley said Barrett seemed frustrated rather than threatening when he drew his gun last week. Langley and another attorney who witnessed the gun incident said it happened as woman testified during a bond hearing for a former Hall County sheriff's deputy charged with rape and aggravated assault with a handgun. The deputy has pleaded not guilty.

Barrett's actions were reported to the State Judicial Qualifications Commission, which investigates judicial misconduct.

The Enotah Judicial Circuit includes Lumpkin, Towns, Union, and White counties.