Detroit Judge Removed from Docket Following Controversial Treatment of Teen During Court Visit
DETROIT — A Detroit judge has been placed on leave and will undergo necessary training after ordering a teenager to wear jail clothes and handcuffs during a field trip to his courtroom. This decision was announced by the court’s chief judge on Thursday.
The incident involved 15-year-old Eva Goodman, who fell asleep during a visit organized by a local nonprofit. Her mother, Latoreya Till, criticized Judge Kenneth King, describing him as a “big bully” and expressing concern for her daughter’s emotional well-being.
King acknowledged his actions, asserting that he intended to make the experience feel realistic for the teen, despite indicating that there was little chance he would actually impose jail time. According to William McConico, the chief judge of the 36th District Court, King has been removed from his criminal case docket to address the underlying issues related to this incident through training.
The chief judge emphasized the court’s commitment to ensuring justice is served in a respectful environment. He stated that King’s actions do not align with these values and noted that the State Court Administrative Office approved the decision to remove him temporarily. Specifics about the training and its duration have not been disclosed, but it was confirmed that King will remain on the payroll during this time.
King, a judge since 2006, has not publicly commented on the situation. Meanwhile, Till explained her daughter’s fatigue, citing their family’s unstable living conditions that night prior to the courtroom visit.
Marissa Ebersole Wood, chairperson of the nonprofit that organized the visit, criticized the judge’s methods, stating that a more appropriate response would have been to ask the students to leave if they were perceived as disrespectful.
