Judge Who Had Visiting Teen Handcuffed Now Handles Tickets

Kenneth King faces lawsuit after having visitor handcuffed
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 26, 2024 5:05 PM CDT
Judge Who Threatened Sleepy Teen Is on Ticket Duty
Judge Kenneth King listens to testimony during a case in Detroit in January.   (Clarence Tabb Jr./Detroit News via AP, File)

A Detroit judge who was temporarily removed after ordering a teenager into jail clothes and handcuffs during a field trip is back on the bench but assigned to speeding tickets and other relatively minor offenses. Judge Kenneth King lost courtroom duties in August and was ordered into social-emotional training by the chief judge at 36th District Court. Instead of handling key hearings in major felonies, he returned this week to the court's traffic division, the AP reports. "We appreciate his efforts in preparing for this role, and wish him success as he transitions into this new responsibility," Judge William McConico said in a written statement.

King's attorney, Todd Perkins, said the judge is willing to work anywhere at the court. "He truly understands and wholeheartedly embraces the concept of teamwork," Perkins said Thursday. King got in trouble for singling out a 15-year-old girl for falling asleep and having what he considered to be a bad attitude while she was visiting his courtroom with other teens. He ordered Eva Goodman into jail clothes and handcuffs—all while the field trip was on a livestream video.

King also threatened her in front of her peers with juvenile detention before releasing her. The girl's mother, Latoreya Till, said she may have been tired because they don't have a permanent address. King told TV stations that he apologized, per the AP. Till has filed a lawsuit, seeking more than $75,000 for "inflicting fear and severe emotional distress."

(More Detroit stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X