‘Do I Think I Was Heavy-handed …? Detroit Judge Who Handcuffed Teen for Sleeping and Having an ‘Attitude’ During Courtroom Field Trip Is Suspended, Will Undergo Training

A Detroit courtroom devolved into a confusing and traumatic experience for a group of young teens on an educational field trip. The unsuspecting teens found themselves having to decide whether one of their peers should be sent to a detention center for her actions. Judge Kenneth King of the 36th District Court in Detroit wanted to make an example of a 15-year-old girl who fell asleep in the courtroom and gave him “attitude” after she was reprimanded, he told WXYZ Detroit. Judge Kenneth King faces backlash for cuffing teen who fell asleep in his courtroom. (Photo: YouTube screenshot/CTRM 234 36th District Court) King has since been suspended for his unexpected decision making and will undergo training. The group of teens were a part of a nonprofit summer program Greening of Detroit to meet a judge and watch a real-life trial play out. But things took a humiliating turn when the judge slapped a teen into handcuffs and made her wear a jail uniform — all for falling asleep in the courtroom. The mother of the young girl, Latoreya Till, later explained to the news outlet that her daughter was nodding off during the Aug. 13 courtroom visit because the family...