According to a judicial watchdog panel, a state Supreme Court justice must be removed from their position after unleashing an angry, violent, and offensive diatribe in which they used dog-whistle language against a group of Black teenagers. These students had attended a graduation party that seemed to be open to all based on its live-stream, but was actually not.
In a report released on Monday, the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct stated that State Supreme Court Justice Erin Gall, a white Republican commonly referred to as a “Republi-Karen,” gave off the impression of racial bias when she threatened to shoot Black teenagers. Justice Gall, who has held an elected position in upstate Oneida County since 2012, attempted to have the teenagers arrested for attending a party at the home of a friend in New Hartford, New York, which she and her family also attended on July 1, 2022. CBS News reported on the incident.
“Her wide array of misconduct severely undermined public confidence in the judiciary and in her ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge,” the commission wrote in its ruling, which recommends Gall’s removal from the bench.
The police body-cam video footage revealed that the commission’s statement about Gall creating “the appearance that she harbored racial bias” was an understatement. Although Gall did not use any racial slurs, her intentions towards Black teenagers were violent. It was reported that the teenagers were looking for their car keys as they were trying to leave the party, but Gall’s use of white people’s version of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) spoke volumes about her bias.
According to NBC, the following information is presented:
A large number of apparent party crashers showed up after 11:30 p.m., the panel said. Four Black teenagers arrived after learning of the party from a live video feed, and the driver then lost his car keys, the report said. Arguments and fights broke out between invited and uninvited guests, and officers from several law enforcement agencies responded. Police body camera footage showed Gall telling the Black teenagers, “You got to leave! You’re not going to find your keys. You got to call an Uber and get off the property.” She then said, “Well, you’re going to get in an Uber, buddy, or you’re going to get a cop escort home. That’s how it’s happening. That’s what I’m telling you right now. That’s how I roll. That’s how I roll. That’s how Mrs. G rolls. That’s how Judge Gall rolls. We’re clearing this place out.” Gall tried to get the police to arrest the Black teenagers for trespassing, saying, “I’ve done this for a million years. I’m a lawyer. I’m a judge. I know this.” She also yelled at the teenagers to “Get off the property! And’s that’s from Judge Gall! I’m a judge!,” using a profanity. The body camera footage shows that Gall alternated between complaining that the officers weren’t arresting anyone and assuring officers that she was on their side. “Listen, but guess what, the good part is – the good part is I’m always on your side,” she said. “You know I’d take anyone down for you guys. You know that.” Gall told police that the Black teenagers “don’t look like they’re that smart. They’re not going to business school, that’s for sure.” She also said that if the teenagers were to come back looking for their keys, “you can shoot them on the property. I’ll shoot them on the property.”
That’s How I Roll!
To be honest, the thing that immediately comes to mind is Gall’s cringe-worthy “That’s how I roll” catchphrase. It’s as if he’s trying too hard to be relatable and failing miserably. It’s reminiscent of those awkward moments when well-meaning but clueless individuals attempt to connect with Black people by using outdated slang and making stereotypical assumptions, like saying, “Yo, what’s good, my gangsta homies? Let’s hit up the cookout and scope out the ladies, my brotha!”
As a member of the Black community, I don’t believe it’s necessary to clarify that the comments made about the intelligence of Black teens are veiled language. It’s crucial to question what knowledge she possesses about these individuals other than the fact that they are Black.
It’s clear that the woman in question actively sought police intervention to arrest the teens who were simply doing what she demanded – leaving the property. It’s worth noting that the property in question doesn’t even belong to her. What’s even more concerning is that she threatened to use deadly force against the teens if they returned to the property that isn’t hers, all while being recorded by police body cameras. This means that she threatened to shoot teenagers, fully aware that they had no intention of causing harm to anyone or anything. It’s ironic how she accused the Black teens of not being “that smart,” when in reality, it was her actions that were completely irrational.
Supreme Court Karen
According to Robert H. Tembeckjian, the administrator and counsel of the commission, Gall’s conduct was exceptionally distressing and unprecedented in his four-decade-long career of overseeing judicial ethics enforcement.
During the night of the incident, the self-proclaimed Supreme Court Karen proudly informed the police that her 18-year-old son had successfully “put the smackdown” on another attendee of the party. She confidently stated that her husband and son were initially attacked, but they were able to finish the altercation, just as she had taught them.
Upon release of the commission’s report, Gall’s lawyers presented the altercation as a situation where her son was the victim of a physical assault, downplaying the severity of the “smackdown.”
After the investigation into her actions began, Gall’s once puffed-out chest seemed to shrink significantly.
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Gall testified during the investigation, saying that the violent skirmishes at the graduation party triggered memories of a 1990 assault she suffered as a college student. Julian did not dispute his client’s comments, but said she was in a “state of fear, dismay, frustration and exhaustion” when she made them.
On Tuesday, Gall’s lawyer, Robert Julian, announced that she will be appealing the panel’s decision.
Best of luck with all of that!
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