Lafayette Judge Michelle Odinet resigns after racial slurs caught on video

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Michelle Odinet stepped down from the bench Friday, saying the racial slurs she used to describe burglars outside her home were "hurtful words" and undermined the public's confidence in the judicial system.

Odinet was captured on video using the n-word to describe men breaking into vehicles parked outside her home. She initially was mum on who used the language, but later acknowledged it was her.

The Louisiana Supreme Court had temporarily disqualified Odinet, at her request, two weeks ago and appointed a Black judge from Opelousas, Vanessa Harris, to handle cases in Division A of the Lafayette City Court, through Feb. 28.

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Odinet's lawyer, Dane Ciolino, confirmed to The Advocate that the judge had quit. Her resignation letter begged forgiveness.

“I take full responsibility for the hurtful words I used to describe the individual who burglarized the vehicles at my home,” she said in her letter to the Louisiana Supreme Court. “I am sorry for the pain that I have caused my community and ask for your forgiveness, as my words did not foster the public's confidence and integrity for the judiciary.”

In a text message to The Advocate, Ciolino said "she understands that this is the end of her public service, but only the beginning of what she needs to do to earn the forgiveness of the community."

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