Racist language in video at the judge Michelle Odinet

Racist language heard in a video recorded at the home of a Louisiana judge has prompted calls for her resignation

Olivia Miller Olivia Miller
Dec 15, 2021 - 17:11
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Racist language in video at the judge Michelle Odinet

The video, posted on several social media sites, shows a television early Saturday showing security footage of what appears to be a foiled break-in at the judge's home. Laughter and racial slurs can be heard from viewers—who are not seen on camera—as they watch two people arrest the suspect.

Lafayette Municipal Court Judge Michelle Odinet told CBS affiliate in the city, KLFY-TV : “My children and I were victims of an armed burglary at our home. The police were called and the attacker was arrested, my core and state of mind were fragile.”

The station says 59-year-old Ronald Handy, a black man, was arrested and charged with two counts of simple burglary. He was being held at the Lafayette Parish Jail on $10,000 bond.

Lafayette Police Sgt. Paul Mouton confirmed to KLFY that no weapon was found on Handy at the time of his arrest, although Odinet claims her family was the victim of an "armed burglary."

Odinet confirmed to Lafayette news outlets that the video was taken at her home. But she said she was taking a sedative at the time the video was recorded and she doesn't remember it.

"I don't remember the video and the disturbing language that was used,” Odinet said.

Her statement did not identify the speakers or say whether she was among those on the recording. It is not clear who originally posted the video on social media. Security footage of a scene partially obscured by branches appears to show at least two people grabbing and holding someone.

"That's me," one viewer says as he watches the security footage of the man getting caught. “And mom is screaming 'n---, n---.” Another viewer says, “We got an n---. It's a n---, like a cockroach."

"I was given a sedative at the time of the video. I don't remember the video or the disturbing language that was used. Anyone who knows me and my husband knows this is contrary to our way of life," Odinet's statement said.

"We ask for your understanding, forgiveness, patience and prayers,” she added.

NAACP Lafayette Chapter President Michael Toussaint called for Odinet's resignation.

"I've never met Judge Odinet, I've only heard her voice in campaign ads. But because she has confirmed that the video was actually recorded in her home, you would think that as a sitting judge, a mother, a community leader, a person" is in a position of authority, that she would have stood up and taken a stand against this kind of language at home,” Toussaint said in a statement to Lafayette news outlets.

City Marshal Reggie Thomas, the first black elected to citywide office in Lafayette, said Odinet should be held accountable for the video's racist language, saying “a mere ineffective and weak apology will not suffice.”

The Louisiana Legislature's Black Caucus also called on Odinet to resign.

"In the event she does not resign, we ask the Louisiana Judicial Commission to immediately appoint an ad hoc judge to hear cases in her department, investigate this incident, and ultimately remove her," the group said in a press release.

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