Judge convicts, then marries man

Talk about the old ball and chain. A judge sentenced an Oklahoma man to four years in federal prison on a firearm charge and minutes later performed a marriage ceremony to wed the new inmate and his longtime girlfriend.

Larry Austin first pleaded guilty to a firearm charge and was sentenced by Oklahoma County Judge Jerry Bass.

Then, shortly afterward, Bass married Austin and Dustie Trojack, who kissed before federal authorities whisked Austin away.

Austin's attorney, Scott M Anderson, told The Oklahoman newspaper that Austin had helped to raise Trojack's two sons and he didn't want to lose contact with them while he was serving time.

- AP