Judge Michelle Odinet takes leave after making racist remarks

Judge Michelle Odinet, and footage of a family using the n-word while recounting a failed burglary.

Louisiana judge who testified on video repeatedly used racial slurs against blacks on unpaid leave, as at least one attorney filed a motion asking her to re-use herself from cases with Black defendants.

Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet’s Wednesday’s decision to take a leave of absence comes days after a video emerged in which the judge’s audio appeared to repeat the word n.

Video, first report Monday of the local news nonprofit Present, which appears to be cell phone video of security footage showing an alleged burglary at Odinet’s home. Several purported family members are recounting events.

Like Law & Crime previous report, two of the people whose voices can be heard in the recording – including a woman identified as “mother” – used the word N when describing the scene.

The video does not reveal who is speaking, but Odinet’s attorney, Dane Ciolino, confirmed arrive New York Times that Odinet used racist profanity in the video.

Odinet has said her family were “victims of an armed burglary” at her home and that she was “sedated at the time of the video recording.”

“I have no recollection of the video and the offensive language used in the video,” Odinet said in a statement to Present. “Anyone who knows me and my husband knows this is the opposite of how we live. I deeply apologize and ask for your forgiveness and understanding as my family and I deal with the emotional consequences of this armed robbery. “

The suspect in the burglary, Robert Handy, is a 59-year-old black man, according to Present.

The police report did not mention that Handy had a weapon, Present story said.

At least two petitions were filed on behalf of the Black defendants in Odinet’s court asking her to withdraw from their cases, Present more.

“Judge Odinet has clearly, in her own words, shown that she is prejudiced and biased towards African Americans,” the attorney general said. Barry Sallinger wrote in a move on behalf of De’edrick Lawrence, who was sentenced by Odinet to two years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to drunk driving. “She freely and permissively used a vile, derogatory term to describe an African-American man that could lead to no other conclusion. While a conviction has been reached under this plea, this case presents a particular situation where a prejudicial and prejudiced judge would hold his or her future in his own hands. her for the next two years. “

Odinet, a Republican, won the right to be elected judges in November 2020, winning 57% of the vote against her opponent, who ran without a party.

Louisiana Supreme Court Appoints Retired Judge Ronald D. Cox to the bench, local CBS affiliate KLFY report Thursday.

A lot of Local officials called on Odinet to resign and the State Senator Gerald Boudreaux, a Democrat representing Lafayette, was request an investigation.

When discussing the leave, Odinet’s attorney released a statement that appeared to show the judge recognizing the writing on the wall.

“She was ready to accept unpaid leave,” said Ciolino, follow Lafayette Daily Advertiser. “As for the long-term plans she might have, she’s going to think about that over the next few weeks and figure out what’s best for her and the community and start from there.”

[Image of Judge Michelle Odinet via Lafayette City Court; home footage via The Current]

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