Detroit judge who made teen wear jail attire and restraints during excursion is restricted

A Detroit judge who made a 15-year-old girl wear jail clothes and handcuffs during a field trip to his courtroom will be off the bench for training, according to the court’s chief judge. The mother of the teenager, identified as Eva Goodman, called Judge Kenneth King a “big bully” and expressed concern for her daughter’s well-being. The incident occurred when Goodman fell asleep during the court visit organized by a nonprofit organization in Detroit.

Judge King defended his actions by stating that he wanted the experience to be realistic for Goodman due to her perceived attitude. Despite indicating that there was little actual intent to jail her, King received backlash for his approach. As a result, he has been removed from handling criminal cases and will undergo training to address the underlying issues that led to the incident, as confirmed by 36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico.

In a statement, McConico emphasized the court’s commitment to maintaining fairness and respect, with approval from the State Court Administrative Office for King’s training. The duration of the training was not specified, and King will continue to receive his salary during this period. Attempts to reach Judge King for comment were unsuccessful at the time of the report.