Lawyer admits destroying church porn evidence

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.

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

More from msnbc.com Thanksgiving is about odd family dynamics First Read: Pardon my turkey, and other trivia   570,000 pager messages from 9/11 released   Silver Lining: Tales of struggle and hope On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Anti-gang worker jailed for robbing rapper   Court OKs Dec. 8 execution in Ohio Census worker killed himself, police say ‘Junior’ Gotti jury signals deadlock — again Alaska diocese OKs $10 million abuse payout Police release sketch of L.A. serial killer Report: ‘Cathouse’ star stabbed, slashed, shot Clinton campaign hostage taker re-arrested Club owners get prison in 2003 stampede Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: