A Lafayette, Louisiana, city court judge resigned Friday over a video that surfaced earlier this month showing people using racist language at her home.
Michelle Odinet apologized and took a leave of absence after the video became public. It showed surveillance footage being played on a television at her house of an outdoor altercation with a burglary suspect.
As the unseen spectators watch the video, they comment on the footage while repeatedly using a racial slur, CNN has reported.
“I take full responsibility for the hurtful words I used to describe the individual who burglarized the vehicles at my home,” Odinet wrote in her resignation letter to Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John Weimer.
“After much reflection and prayer, and in order to facilitate healing within the community, I hereby resign as judge of the Lafayette City Court effective immediately,” she wrote.
Her departure comes after New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams said last week he ordered his civil rights division to review all cases prosecuted by Odinet, who once served as an assistant district attorney in Louisiana’s most populous city.
