Michelle M. Odinet: Louisiana judge on unpaid leave facing pressure to resign after personal video released with racist language

[ad_1]

A lawyer for municipal court judge Michelle M. Odinet told the Acadiana Advocate that she felt “humiliated, embarrassed and sorry for what she has done and the harm she has caused to the community” and that she was taking unpaid leave.

“What happens in the long term is something she will think about in the weeks to come,” said the statement from Dane Ciolino, who confirmed the details to CNN.

The video, appearing to show surveillance footage of an outdoor altercation with a burglary suspect shown on television as people, who are not visible, watch and comment on the footage using racist language, was shared with local media in Lafayette and is now being widely shared on social media.

The Lafayette Police Department said that at around 2 a.m. on Saturday, two vehicles were broken into in the driveway of a house, records of which show belonged to Odinet and her husband.

The suspect attempted to escape on foot but was caught by the victim, who police said was on her way home when she saw the suspect exiting one of the vehicles in the house. The victim kept the suspect on the ground until the police arrived, according to the police statement.

In the video circulating online, a male voice can be heard saying, “And mom is screaming n *** er, n *** er.” Then, after what seems like a jovial joke, a female voice is heard saying, “We have a *** er, it’s a *** er, like a roach,” laughing.

The group continues chatting, at one point mocking someone in the surveillance video who trips and someone else who loses their wallet.

Then a male voice is heard saying, “This is my phone where it fell. “

“The guy had a phone on him,” calls out a female voice. “You should’ve grabbed her phone and stole that fucking fucking hole from her.”

“Go get the gun,” said another voice. “It’s important, very important,” a male voice says as the video continues.

Several calls for his resignation

It is not known who recorded the video from inside the house or how it became public.

Odinet previously sent a statement to CNN affiliate KATC, claiming that she had received “a sedative” and had no “recollection of the video and the disturbing language used during it”.

“My children and I were the victims of an armed robbery at our home. The police were called, and the perpetrator was arrested. The incident shook me to the core and my mental state was fragile. I was a wreck and still am unable to do this. to sleep. I was given a sedative at the time of the video. I have no recollection of the video and the disturbing language used during it. “

The judge added: “Everyone who knows me and my husband knows that this is contrary to the way we live our lives. I am deeply sorry and ask for your forgiveness and understanding as my family and I face the consequences. emotional from this armed robbery. “

The conviction was swift. The head of the local branch of the NAACP said Odinet should step down immediately.

“We are now calling for her immediate and uncompromising resignation, failing which, we demand swift and immediate action from the judicial commission of the Louisiana Supreme Court, removing her from office,” said Michael Toussaint, president of the Lafayette section. NAACP.

The call was echoed by the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, which said the judge displayed “immense racial prejudice and callousness.”

The mayor-president of the consolidated government of Lafayette, Josh Guillory, said he was disgusted by the information about Odinet. “This type of language is hurtful, divisive and unacceptable,” he said in a statement. “The fairness and objectivity of our courts are the foundation of our legal system. I hope the judge will do what is best to help the community heal and move forward.

City Marshal Reggie Thomas told KATC that the language of the video was deeply hurtful. “I’m sure most people of color share my pain when the N word is used to describe us. That being said, I’m sure people of color will find it hard to believe that they will be treated fairly and fair. when they must appear before Judge Odinet. “

Thomas, who noted he was the first African American elected to a city-wide post in Lafayette, said Odinet should be held accountable. “It’s up to Judge Odinet to remember the oath she took,” he said.

[ad_2]