Judge Makes Controversial Remarks

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- A Volusia County judge has recused himself from a case because of controversial comments he made about African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians.

 

WFTV has learned that Judge David Walsh said minorities are often no-shows when it comes to serving on a jury. A court spokesman told Eyewitness News that it's typical for judges not to comment on pending cases even though he has stepped away from the present one.

 

The comment that Walsh said was, "I have been somewhat disheartened at the sometimes lack of certain members of certain races to serve as jurors. And I don't think it's without our attempts to try to get them here. Sometimes they just don't come. Not just African American, but others such as Asians. Hispanics, especially."

 

Judge David Walsh made the comment at the end of jury selection.

 

Antonio Herndon, who is black and on trial, objected to the fact there were no blacks on the jury and reacted immediately when he heard Walsh's comments.

 

However, Herdon's attorney told Eyewitness News that it took awhile before he understood how serious Judge Walsh's comment was.

 

"'You've never been black. Have you ever been black? You don't know what I'm going through.' Once he said that I realized, I have not. I've never walked in his shoes or a black mans shoes," said defense attorney Mike Lambert.

 

WFTV was trying to get an interview with Walsh who has not returned any calls.