NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A white Louisiana judge who appeared at a Halloween party in shackles, an afro wig and blackface makeup last year should be suspended for a year without pay, a state commission said Tuesday.
The recommendation by the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana goes to the state Supreme Court, which will make the final decision on the punishment for Timothy Ellender, a state district judge in Terrebonne Parish, southwest of New Orleans.
"Judge Ellender's integrity and his ability to be fair and impartial towards African-Americans who appear before his court as defendants in criminal and other proceedings will be forever in doubt," the commission said in a 26-page report. "Every decision he makes and judgment he renders concerning an African-American may be questioned and second guessed."
Ellender was not immediately available for comment when The Associated Press called his office in Houma. The commission said Ellender cooperated fully with its investigation and made it clear in testimony "that he will take great care not to exhibit racial bias or to promote racial sterotypes in the future."
Accompanied by his wife, who was dressed as a police officer, Ellender showed up at the party last Halloween dressed in a prison jump suit and handcuffs borrowed from the local sheriff, as well as the afro wig.
"Judge Ellender testified to the commission that when his costume did not provoke the amusement he thought it would, his brother-in-law, dressed as `Buckwheat' from the `Little Rascals' show, and wearing blackface paint, offered the judge some of the paint to enhance his costume and to try to garner more laughs," the commission report said.
"When asked if adding the black-face paint resulted in his getting more laughs, Judge ellender told the commision "it was more humorous, yes," the report said.
It was a private party but it was held at a seafood restaurant in view of other patrons. The commission said about 15 people were present and testimony indicated that, except for a black cook, everyone present was white.
Word of Ellender's costume reached Houma NAACP leaders, then made local, state and national news. A complaint was filed with court officials, resulting in the commission's investigation. Ellender at first called the resulting furor "a tempest in a teapot" but later, in testimony before the commission, admitted that his behavior had been offensive, the report said.
There was no indication when the Supreme Court would make its decision.




If this is what the man wanted to dress up as who is anyone to judge him on it?

(i wanted to be the bad guy, b/c he has a cooler outfit....but i look more like daniel and he looks like johnny...yes...ill be sure to take pics.)
The only Bush i like is between your legs.
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