Update February 15: 

19th Judicial Court Judge Mike Erwin of Louisiana has broken his silence regarding the allegations of him using the N-word made against him. According to Kaneitra Johnson, Erwin used the word at Sammy's Bar when she took the bar stool of a Lyft driver who had gone to the restroom. When he returned from the bathroom, Johnson allegedly asked if he wanted his seat back, and he said "no," to which Erwin allegedly said, "You should have made her get her fat n****r a** up."

After being banned from Sammy's, Erwin released a statement refuting any claims that he used that word.

"I never have, never would and never will utter the language I was accused of saying. I have devoted my professional, legal and nearly 30-year judicial career working to ensure that each and every person that appears in my courtroom is treated equally under the law, I have never wavered from this and I will continue to treat each and every person equally and fairly," Erwin said in a statement reported by WAFB. 

Additionally, upon further investigation, several witnesses present at the time claim they never heard the judge use the word. They do however remember Erwin and Johnson getting into a verbal disagreement over a seat. 

Although Judge Erwin denies Johnson's claims, she and an attorney are still fighting to have Erwin removed from the bench. Additionally, representatives from the local NAACP chapter believe the investigation was a coverup and a way for the Sheriff's Department to protect their own. 

Previous February 9:

While dining in Sammy’s Grill in Baton Rouge Louisiana one patron overheard a judge spew racist comments about a woman. When Judge Mike Erwin saw man sharing his seat with a Black woman in the crowded restaurant, he allegedly said, “You should have made her get her fat n****r ass up.”

On February 3, Baton Rouge resident Kaneitra Johnson witnessed the ordeal and made a public Facebook post over the weekend that recounted the story.

“I’m halfway on the seat and the Lyft driver is on the other half of the seat,” Johnson said. “Then he asked for his jacket. All of a sudden I hear this older man behind me tell the Lyft driver, ‘You never give up your seat for a n*gger.’”

Johnson said the man continued, “You should have made her get her fat n*gger a** up.”

Eventually the police were called and questioned the older man who made the comments. Johnson later learned the racist man was Judge Mike Erwin of Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District Court

According to Johnson’s post, no action by police or Sammy’s was taken against Erwin.

However, when Sammy’s grill manager Andy McKay, who was absent that evening, was made aware of the situation, he took matters into his own hand.

“I wasn’t there that night, so I can’t comment on the details, but I know police were called,” McKay told The Root. “I can also tell you that the owner, Sammy Nagem, has made it clear that Judge Erwin is no longer welcome here.

“We will refuse his business,” McKay added.

While working for the 19th Judicial District Court, Erwin has frequently been in control of the outcomes for many Black men and women. For him to use such vile language about Black people means his abilities as a judge should be questioned.