District Court Judge Kenneth King has been temporarily suspended following a highly controversial incident involving a 15-year-old girl during a court field trip. The judge’s actions have sparked outrage and led to a swift response from court officials.
The incident occurred when Eva Goodman, a teenager visiting the 36th District Court as part of a field trip organized by The Greening, an environmental charity, was allegedly punished for falling asleep. Judge King, reportedly dissatisfied with Goodman’s “attitude,” decided to make an example of her in front of other visitors. He had her handcuffed, dressed in a jail uniform, and then released her after a public vote on whether she should be placed in juvenile detention.
Judge King defended his actions, describing them as a lesson intended to convey the seriousness of courtroom decorum. “It was her whole attitude and her whole disposition that disturbed me,” King stated in interviews. He further described his actions as his own version of “Scared Straight,” a controversial approach aimed at deterring at-risk youth from future misbehavior.
The chief judge of the 36th District Court, William McConico, responded to the incident with a public statement expressing regret and announcing that Judge King would be temporarily removed from the bench. McConico emphasized that a “swift and thorough internal investigation” was conducted, leading to the decision to place King on administrative leave pending further training. “We sincerely hope that this incident does not undermine our longstanding relationships with local schools,” McConico said.
Latoreya Hill, Goodman’s mother, criticized the judge’s actions, calling them humiliating and disproportionate. “Would you want someone to treat your child like that?” Hill asked, condemning the judge for belittling her daughter in front of her peers. Hill, a single mother of two, explained that Goodman had been tired and not in a position to sleep comfortably at home, given their circumstances.
The video footage of the incident shows Judge King sternly reprimanding Goodman, saying, “One thing you’ll learn about my courtroom is that I’m not a toy. I am not to be played with.” He further added, “You sleep at home in your bed, not in court.” His actions included a public vote where he asked the other visitors if Goodman should be sent to juvenile detention, before ultimately deciding on the handcuffs and jail uniform as a punitive measure.
Judge Aliyah Sabree, the No. 2 leadership figure at the court, condemned King’s behavior, stating that it did not reflect the court’s standards and assuring that the matter would be addressed with “the utmost diligence.” She reiterated that such actions were inconsistent with the values upheld by the 36th District Court.
Despite the controversy, Judge King has stood by his decisions, asserting that his goal was to create a vivid impression of courtroom seriousness. “I wanted this to look and feel very real to her, even though there’s probably no real chance of me putting her in jail,” King remarked.
The incident has raised broader questions about the appropriateness of punitive measures used in educational or rehabilitative contexts. The 36th District Court’s swift response underscores the seriousness with which it is addressing the matter, but it also highlights ongoing debates about the methods used to instill respect and discipline in young people.
As the situation develops, the court’s handling of the case will be closely watched to determine the long-term implications for Judge King and the broader judicial system’s approach to youth discipline and education.
