A Louisiana judge is on unpaid leave and faces pressure to resign after a home video featuring racist language surfaced.
“What happens in the long-term is something she will be thinking about in the coming weeks,” said a statement by Dane Ciolino, who confirmed details to CNN.
The video, which appears to show surveillance footage of an outdoor brawl with a burglary suspect, was broadcast on television while non-watchers watched and commented on the footage using racist language. , was shared with local media in Lafayette and is now being shared widely on social media.
The Lafayette Police Department said that around 2 a.m. Saturday, two cars were broken into in the driveway of a home, which records show were owned by Odinet and her husband.
The suspect tried to run away on foot but was caught by the victim, who police said was returning home when he saw the suspect exiting one of the vehicles at the home. According to a statement from the police, the victim held the suspect until the police arrived.
In the video that is going viral online, a male voice can be heard saying, “And mom is screaming n *** er, n *** er.” Then, after what appeared to be some hilarious pranks, a female voice is heard saying, “We have a *** er, It’s a *** er, like a cockroach,” while laughing.
The group continued to talk back and forth, at one point laughing at someone in the surveillance video tripping and losing their wallet.
Then a male voice said, “That’s where my phone fell out.”
“The guy has a phone on him,” said a female voice. “You should have taken his phone and stole it from him, that goddamn hole.”
“Go get the gun,” said another voice. “It’s important, very important,” a male voice says as the video continues.
Some calls for her to resign
It is unclear who took the video from inside the house or how it was made public.
“My children and I were the victims of an armed burglary at our home. The police were called, and the assailant was arrested. The incident left me excruciatingly painful and mentally ill. my spirits are fragile
The judge added: “Anyone who knows me and my husband, knows this is contrary to the way we live. I am deeply sorry and ask for your forgiveness and understanding as well as my family and friends. I’ll deal with the emotional consequences of this armed robbery.”
The condemnation was swift. The head of the NAACP’s local branch said Odinet should resign immediately.
“We call for her immediate and uncompromising resignation, and unsuccessfully, we demand that the Judiciary Committee of the Louisiana Supreme Court act swiftly and immediately, remove her from office. office,” said NAACP Lafayette Chapter President Michael Toussaint.
The appeal was echoed by the Louisiana Legislative Black Council, which argued that the judge displayed “excessive racial bias and insensitivity.”
Lafayette Mayor and President of the Unified Government, Josh Guillory, said he was disgusted by the reports about Odinet. “This kind of language is hurtful, divisive and unacceptable,” he said in a statement. “The fairness and objectivity of the courts is the foundation of our legal system. I hope that the judge will do what is best to help the community heal and move forward.”
City Marshal Reggie Thomas told KATC that the language in the video was damaging to his core. “I’m sure most people of color share my pain when the word N is used to describe us. With that said, I’m sure people of color wouldn’t believe they would be treated. fair and equal trial. when they have to decide before Judge Odinet.”
Thomas, who noted that he was the first African-American elected to a citywide position in Lafayette, said Odinet must be held accountable. “Judge Odinet must remember the oath she took,” he said.
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