Judge Vanessa Harris and Judge Michelle Odinet/Photo Courtesy of KLFY
Following the suspension of Lafayette City Judge Michelle Odinet, who allegedly used the n-word on video, a black female judge has reportedly been appointed by the Louisiana Supreme Court to temporarily replace her amidst the scandal. According to KLFY, Judge Vanessa Harris will also become Louisiana’s first-ever Black judge.
Per the Acadiana Advocate, Harris retired in December 2020 as an Opelousas City Court judge after becoming the first woman and Black person to be elected to the Louisiana court in 2009.
As News Onyx previously reported, footage of Odinet allegedly using a racial slur went viral online earlier this month. A voice believed to be Odinet’s can reportedly be heard saying about an alleged burglar, “We have a n****r. It’s a n****r, like a roach.”
Shortly after, Odinet released a statement asking for forgiveness, telling the Current in mid-December, “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 shook me to my core, and my mental state was fragile. I was a wreck and am still unable to sleep. I was given a sedative at the time of the video.”
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“I have zero recollection of the video and the disturbing language used during it. Anyone who knows me and my husband knows this is contrary to the way we live our lives,” she continued. “I am deeply sorry and ask for your forgiveness and understanding as my family, and I deal with the emotional aftermath of this armed burglary.”
According to KLFY, Odinet was suspended by the Louisiana Supreme Court following the released video, which is currently under investigation by the superior court.