Judge who handcuffed teenager for sleeping in courtroom is struck off the register
DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Detroit judge who ordered a teenage girl handcuffed and put in a prison uniform because she fell asleep during a trip to his courtroom has been removed from the case.
36th District Court Judge Kenneth King has been temporarily removed from office following an internal investigation, according to Chief Judge William McConico.
“We’re going to have him do some training on cultural competency and sensitivity, because you never want a child to end up on a school trip in a prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.” Said Presiding Judge McConico.
McConico added that while he disagreed with King’s disciplinary actions that day, he stood by his qualifications as a judge.
“Judge King likes to use teachable moments. This is not the tactic we find acceptable in the 36th Circuit Court. I know Judge King personally and this is not normally in keeping with his character,” said Chief Judge McConico.
After speaking with 7 News Detroit, Judge McConico issued the following statement: They have taken extra security precautions due to the threats Judge King has received. The Detroit Police Department Cyber Crimes Unit is also investigating.
Judge King reported that he received comments of a threatening nature and that he was assigned additional security in the building. Since the court cannot file police reports on his behalf, Judge King also received instructions on how to do so.
The court does not yet have any further details about the reported threats.
Threats of violence are never acceptable and we take this matter seriously. We understand the community outcry over the incident and are addressing it internally.
The girl’s mother, Latoreya Hill, spoke to 7 News Detroit after learning of the disciplinary action.
“Don’t play with an angry mother,” said Hill. “Because you told my daughter she couldn’t play with you in your courtroom. And that’s why you can’t play with the citizens of Detroit and an angry mother.”
WATCH: Detroit judge scolds teen during court field trip, puts her in prison uniform
Detroit judge scolds teenager during court field trip and puts her in prison uniform
On Tuesday, children participating in a three-week program run by the nonprofit The Greening of Detroit were taken to the 36th District Court for a field trip. Other trips in the program include kayaking and bird watching, but this was an opportunity for the students to watch a real trial and speak with a judge.
Before the defense and prosecution entered the courtroom, King addressed the students and answered their questions. Then he noticed that the 15-year-old girl was dozing off.
“If you fall asleep in my courtroom again, I’ll put you in the back, got it,” the judge said to the girl in the courtroom.
McConico said King will also undergo training to address the underlying issues that contributed to the incident.
“We hope these steps will help reassure the public of the 36th Circuit Court’s commitment to serving our community with integrity and fairness. The 36th Circuit Court, known as the ‘People’s Court,’ remains firmly committed to providing access to justice in an environment free from intimidation or disrespect. Judge King’s actions on August 13 do not reflect that commitment,” McConico said in a statement.
WATCH: Mother of teen handcuffed by Detroit judge on school trip breaks her silence
Mother of teenager handcuffed by Detroit judge on school trip breaks her silence
Judge King then says the teenager “scared” him because he fell asleep.
“It wasn’t so much that she fell asleep, because I have lawyers who fall asleep sometimes, so it’s not a big deal. It was her whole demeanor and her whole being that bothered me,” King told 7 News Detroit. “I wanted to get through to her, show her how serious this is and how to conduct yourself in a courtroom.”
We spoke to Hill on Wednesday. She said she was horrified when she saw the video of her daughter Eva Goodman in handcuffs. Judge King says it was all about teaching the teenager a lesson about decency and respect, but Hill says the judge doesn’t know how hard life has been for the family.
“Would you want someone to treat your child like that? Would you even treat your child like that?” Hill asked tearfully.
Hill is a single mother of two and says Goodman, her eldest daughter, was enrolled in a summer program run by the nonprofit Greening of Detroit to keep Goodman busy.
Hill says Goodman fell asleep because the family currently has no permanent residence and is just trying to make ends meet.
“To belittle her in front of the whole world and her friends, to make our situation worse for her,” Hill said through tears. “The fact that he talked about ‘go home and get in your bed,’ how do you know my baby has a home, how do you know my baby has a bed, her own bed to sleep in, she doesn’t have that right now, so she was tired,” Hill said through tears.
We spoke with Judge King on Tuesday, who stood by his actions in disciplining the child after he showed an “attitude” toward him.
“Do I have any reservations? Do I think I was too harsh in what I did? No, I don’t, because I will do whatever needs to be done to reach these children and make sure they don’t end up in front of me,” Judge King said. “This was my own version of fear and terror.”
Jonathan Kinloch, commissioner of Wayne County’s Second District, believes King should apologize publicly.
“The judge owes not only the child an apology, not only excuses and not duplication, but an apology not only to the child but to the entire community,” said Kinloch. “This must never happen again.”
Till says she doesn’t want a personal apology, but a public one that she hasn’t seen.
We reached out to King for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
