Louisiana judge will go on unpaid leave after home video captured her repeatedly using the n-word after attempted break-in by a black burglar
A Louisiana judge who was caught on video repeatedly calling a black burglary suspect a 'n****r' will take a period of unpaid leave, her lawyer said today.
Michelle Odinet, 52, a mother of four, made the racist comments as she and her family watched surveillance footage of the suspect trying to break into her home.
The short clip captured one of Odinet's children saying 'And mom's yelling n****r, n****r,' to which the Republican judge responds 'We have a n****r. It's a n****r, like a roach.'
Odinet's lawyer Dane Ciolino announced Thursday: 'She is humiliated, embarrassed and sorry for what she's done and the trouble she's caused to the community.
'Tomorrow, she's going on interim leave without pay. And as far as what'll happen in the longer term, she'll have to deal with that in the weeks to come.'
Video footage captured the moment Republican Louisiana judge Michelle Odinet, 52, said the 'n-word' twice
The mother of four was watching security footage with her family of an attempted burglary that happened at their home on Saturday morning
The suspect Ronald Handy, 59, was arrested and charged with two counts of simple burglary
The move comes after widespread condemnation from local officials, including the Lafayette City Marshal and the president of the local chapter of the NAACP.
'If something happens in your house, you are responsible for it,' City Marshal Reggie Thomas told KLAF. 'When something like that is said from a leader, then it has to be addressed.'
The full video had shown Odinet and her family laughing as they watched the footage with other members making similar racist comments and spewing profanity.
Ronald Handy, 59, who is black, was arrested and charged with two counts of simple burglary and is being held at Lafayette Parish Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Handy was seen being taken down by two members of the Odinet family on the front lawn of their home during the attempted burglary.
Odinet claims she had taken a sedative when the video had been recorded and does not remember the comments that she made.
'My children and I were the victim of an armed burglary at our home,' she told The Current.
'The police were called and the assailant was arrested. The incident shook me to my core and my mental state was fragile.'
'Anyone who knows me and my husband, knows 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 deal with the emotional aftermath of this armed burglary.'
Handy, however, was not found with a weapon at the time of his arrest.
'When the suspect observed the victim arrive, the suspect attempted to flee on foot but was quickly caught by the victim. Victim held the suspect down until officers arrived,' the report by the Lafayette Police Department said.
State officials such as Lafayette City Marshall Reggie Thomas (left) and State Senator Gerald Boudreaux (right) have called for action to be taken against Odinet following her racist comments
Her excuses have not swayed critics that say she should removed from the bench.
'As a proud black man, and the Lafayette City Marshal, I strongly believe Judge Odinet should be held accountable,' Thomas told the Acadiana Advocate.
'I'm sure that people of color will find it impossible to trust that they will be treated fairly and equally when they have to stand for judgment before Judge Odinet.
'This type of language cannot be accepted or tolerated by anyone, especially those who serve as leaders in our city.
'It is up to Judge Odinet to remember the oath she took, and should she remain on the bench, find a way to gain back the trust of 'all' of Lafayette, especially African Americans. A mere ineffectual and weak apology will not suffice.'
State Senator Gerald Boudreaux was also left disturbed by the comments and is working on conducting an investigation.
'I respectfully request and will officially petition that the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana investigate the ethical conduct and actions associated with the recent developments,' he said in a statement.
Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, also has called for an investigation into Odinet's behavior.
'This behavior calls into question Judge Odinet's fitness to sit in judgement of Black defendants who appear before her court. Equal justice under the law means nothing if judges come to their duties viewing some people as subhuman,' Odoms told the Daily Advertiser.
'We condemn these remarks and the acceptance they received in Judge Odinet's home.'
Odinet had been elected in November 2020 to the Division A seat at Lafayette City Court
The Louisiana Supreme Court is the only body that can remove Odinet because she holds a position that can not be recalled by the public.
In order to be removed, an investigation must be made by the Judicial Commission, which can take months.
Odinet had been elected in November 2020 after winning 57 percent of the vote against candidate Jules Edwards III.
She took over the Division A seat for Judge Francie Bouillion at Lafayette City Court.
She had previously worked as an assistant district attorney in New Orleans and Lafayette as well as well as a law firm where she handled insurance defense cases.
Since being elected, she has planned to start on a veterans court programs, working on financial assistance methods and creating cellphone lockers to keep them out of the courtroom.
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