(CBS) – A former southern Illinois judge who has been charged with drug possession can be heard on a 911 tape trying to revive a colleague who died of a cocaine overdose.
WBBM Newsradio’s Nancy Harty reports, during a 911 call on March 10, St. Clair County Circuit Judge Michael Cook told the dispatcher he couldn’t wake his friend, St. Clair County Judge Joe Christ, and thinks Christ must have hit his head on the bathtub at Cook’s hunting cabin in rural western Illinois.
On the tape, Cook could be heard trying to revive Christ.
“Joe, Joe, come on, get up,” Cook said. “Joe, wake up, please! ”
The dispatcher asked Cook to check Christ’s mouth for anything blocking his airway.
“His teeth are closed,” Cook said. “Is that bad? Because I love him like a brother.”
An autopsy later found Christ died of a cocaine overdose.
Cook resigned last week, after being charged with heroin possession, and unlawful use of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm.
He has pleaded not guilty and reportedly has entered rehab.
