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Lawyer admits destroying church porn evidence

Computer from prominent house of worship was part of FBI investigation

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updated 1:52 p.m. ET Sept. 27, 2007

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - A lawyer admitted Thursday that he destroyed a computer containing child pornography that was evidence in an investigation at a prominent church.

The lawyer, Philip Russell, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of misprision of a felony, which means he had knowledge of a felony but didn't report it. He faces up to 14 months in prison when he is sentenced in December.

Russell, a former lawyer for the Christ Church in Greenwich, was accused of obstructing an FBI investigation that led to the January conviction of the church's music director, Robert Tate, for possessing child pornography.

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Former President George H.W. Bush attended the church while growing up and funeral services for his parents were held there.

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