Louisiana Judge Resigns After Racial Slurs Recording
Lafayette judge Michelle Odinet, who was suspended for racial slurs she used to describe burglars outside her home, has reportedly resigned.
According to The Advocate, Odinet said her “hurtful words” undermined the public’s confidence over objectivity in the judicial system.
“I take full responsibility for the hurtful words I used to describe the individual who burglarized the vehicles at my home,” she said in her letter to the Louisiana Supreme Court. “I am sorry for the pain that I have caused my community and ask for your forgiveness, as my words did not foster the public's confidence and integrity for the judiciary.”
In the video, Odinet watches security footage of what appears to be a failed burglary at her home during the early morning hours of December 11. Liberal use of the N-word is heard from viewers who aren’t visible on camera.
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KLFY previously spoke with the judge who had an excuse for her behavior explaining, "my children and I were the victim 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."
The Louisiana Supreme Court had temporarily disqualified Odinet two weeks ago and appointed Vanessa Harris, a Black judge from Opelousas, to handle cases in Division A of the Lafayette City Court through February.
Odinet confirmed that the video was made at her home, but she claims to have taken a sedative at the time the video was made and she doesn't remember it.
"That's me," one viewer says while watching the security footage of the man being caught. "And Mom's yelling 'n---, n---.'" Another viewer says, "We have a n-----. It's a n-----, like a roach."
The group continues talking back and forth. At one point they’re laughing at someone in the surveillance video tripping and someone else losing their wallet.
A male voice is then heard saying, "That's my phone where it fell out."
"The dude had a phone on him," a female voice chimes in. "You should have taken his phone and stolen from him, that f*****g a*****e."
"Go and get the gun," says another voice. "It's important, very important," says a male voice as the video continues.
"I was given a sedative at the time of the video. I have zero recollection of the video and the disturbing language used during it. Anyone who knows me and my husband, knows this is contrary to the way we live our lives," Odinet's statement said. "We ask for your understanding, forgiveness, patience and prayers.”
In a text message to The Advocate, Ciolino said "she understands that this is the end of her public service, but only the beginning of what she needs to do to earn the forgiveness of the community."