Louisiana Judge Asks For ‘Understanding’ After Video Of Racist Language, Calls Grow For Her Resignation

A judge in Louisiana is asking for “understanding” and “forgiveness” after a video from her home was posted on several social media sites. The video consists of racist language.

On Monday, Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet confirmed the video of a suspected intruder being apprehended at her home.

In the video, at least two people were seen running and capturing the suspect. They were also seen in a struggle before they were able to hold the suspect down.

The commentary of the viewers watching the surveillance video included derogatory comments. As the video played, voices off-camera could be heard laughing and using racial slurs.

A male voice commenting on the surveillance video can be heard saying, “That’s me. And mom’s yelling 'n-----, n-----.'" Immediately after the comment, what appears to be the voice of a woman, then says, “We have a n-----. It’s a n-----; like a roach."

There has been no confirmation as to whether the woman making the comments is Odinet.

“My children and I were the victim [sic] of an armed burglary at our home. The police were called and the assailant was arrested. The incident shook me to my core and my mental state was fragile,” Odinet said in a statement.

Odinet said she had “zero recollection of the video and the disturbing language used during it” because she “was given a sedative at the time.”

Ronald Handy, 59, a Black man, was arrested and charged two counts of simple burglary. Following his arrest, Handy was held on $10,000 bond at Lafayette Parish Jail.

Although Odinet stated she and her family were victims of an “armed burglary,” Lafayette Police Sgt. Paul Mouton confirmed the suspect did not possess any weapons at the time of his arrest.

“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,” Odinet said.

Following the posting of the video, public officials have called for Odinet’s resignation. Local NAACP President Michael Toussaint condemned the judge’s language.

“One would think that as a sitting judge, a mother, a community leader, a person in a position of authority, that she would have stepped up and taken a stand against that type of language in her own home,” Toussaint said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt questioned whether Odinet would be able to judge people fairly in court.

“The citizens of Lafayette deserve to have confidence in our judicial system — that will not happen while she is on the bench,” Bernhardt stated.

“We will not tolerate bigotry from the bench. Fairness and impartiality cannot coexist with racism; Lafayette needs a new judge.”

It is unclear whether Odinet will resign. Only the Louisiana Supreme Court has the authority to remove an elected judge from the bench. The process could take months or years.