A Detroit judge who carried out his own “Scared Straight” program against a teen who visited his courtroom just to see law in action, has been removed from the bench.
Judge Kenneth King received criticism on Tuesday for handcuffing a 15-year-old girl and making her wear an orange jumpsuit and placing her in handcuffs. The girl had fallen asleep during her visit to his court as part of the Greening of Detroit program.
It wasn’t a “Scared Straight” program, but the judge said he got offended because the minor kept falling asleep in his courtroom.
The backlash was swift with many calling for King’s removal.
Colleen Robar, the PR representative for the Greening of Detroit said King’s actions were unacceptable.
“He made her wear handcuffs and a jail uniform and yelled at her for falling asleep in his courtroom,” Robar said in the statement. “Although the Judge was trying to teach a lesson of respect, his methods were unacceptable.”
The girl’s mother, Latoreya Till, spoke to NBC News and said the family had been unhoused and had been moving from place to place which is why the minor was so tired.
“He was trying to prove a point to my daughter and make an example out of her in front of, you know, her peers. So, you know, that’s how it goes,” Till said.
He is “supposed to show love and sympathy and implement the law, and he didn’t do none of that,” she said.
Since the incident, Till said her daughter has had trouble sleeping. And she keeps asking why the judge did that to her.
King has since been removed from his duties. He will undergo training to address the issues that caused the incident. This information was shared by Chief Judge William McConico’s in a statement on Thursday.
Chief Judge Pro Tem Aliyah Sabree also condemned King’s actions.
“The 36th District Court does not condone the actions taken by Judge King, and the conduct displayed does not reflect the standards we uphold at the 36th District Court,” Sabree said, according to NBC News. “I am committed to addressing this matter with the utmost diligence.”
Well, #Clique, this judge needed an ego check! Play stupid games, you win stupid prizes!
