A judge in Detroit has been removed from his duties after ordering a drowsy teenager on a field trip to don jail attire and handcuffs in his courtroom.
Judge Kenneth King will be temporarily relieved from the bench to undergo “necessary training,” according to the court’s chief judge.
Latoreya Till, the girl’s mother, expressed her dismay to the Detroit Free Press, describing the judge as “a big bully” and noting her daughter feels hurt and scared.
The 15-year-old was visiting the courthouse as part of a field trip organised by The Greening of Detroit, an environmental group.
During her time in King’s courtroom on Tuesday, the teenager fell asleep.
King was displeased with the girl’s drowsiness. He stated to WXYZ-TV that it was her attitude that prompted him to order her to wear jail clothes, be handcuffed, and receive stern words.
“I wanted this to look and feel very real to her, even though there’s probably no real chance of me putting her in jail,” he explained.
Chief Judge William McConico of the 36th District Court announced King would be taken off his criminal case docket to undergo necessary training to address the issues that led to the incident.
McConico emphasised the court’s commitment to providing a respectful and intimidation-free environment. He stated King’s actions on August 13 did not align with this commitment.
King will continue to receive his salary while off the bench, a decision approved by the State Court Administrative Office.
The duration and specifics of King’s training remain unclear.
King has served as a judge in Detroit since 2006. At the end of his hearings on Thursday, which were available on YouTube, he made a heart shape with his hands.
Till mentioned that her daughter was fatigued during the court visit due to the family’s lack of a permanent home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was the Detroit judge sidelined?
Judge Kenneth King was sidelined for ordering a sleepy teenager to wear jail clothes and handcuffs in his courtroom.
What led to the judge’s decision to handcuff the teenager?
Judge King was unhappy with the teenager’s attitude after she fell asleep in his courtroom.
What did the chief judge say about the incident?
The chief judge said Judge King will undergo necessary training and emphasised the court’s commitment to an intimidation-free environment.
Will the judge continue to be paid during his training?
Yes, Judge Kenneth King will continue to be paid while he is off the bench undergoing training.
Why was the teenager tired during the court visit?
The teenager was tired because her family does not have a permanent home.
