A white judge who wore blackface make-up, handcuffs and a jail jumpsuit at a Halloween party will be suspended for six months, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled on Monday.
The justices voted 5-2 to suspend Judge Timothy Ellender for a year without pay for dishonouring his position, but to defer half of that penalty. Ellender will lose more than $50 000 in pay, one judge noted.
Ellender, who is white, testified the costumes worn by him and his wife — she was dressed as a police officer — were meant only as a joke to show he was her prisoner.
The justices agreed Ellender did not mean to insult blacks.
Nevertheless, they ordered him to take a sociology course ”which will assist him in achieving a greater understanding of racial sensitivity”.
Phone messages left with Ellender and his attorney, Bill Bordelon, were not immediately returned.
Jerome Boykin, head of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, applauded the ruling.
”The Supreme Court sent a strong message that the court won’t tolerate racist acts by judges,” he said. — Sapa-AP