Attorney's Comment Makes Courtroom Gasp, Gets Her Charged With Contempt

Court attendees were raised their hands to cover their dropped jaws after being shocked by comments made by Louisville defense attorney Shameka O'Neil.

District Court Judge Julie Kaelin ruled defense attorney O'Neil in direct criminal contempt after an unusual dispute in a virtual session of court.

During the hearing, parties were set to approve a plea agreement for defendant Curtis Burns in a misdemeanor criminal mischief case. Burns expressed confusion about the deal, leading O'Neil to explain that her client is mentally ill.

Judge Kaelin stated, "It is fine that he has mental illness, but that doesn't mean that we can go through with a plea if he doesn't understand what he is agreeing to."

Burns claimed that he is not mentally ill, stating, "Ma'am I don't even have no records of me having a mental illness. She just put that diagnosis on me."

O'Neil quickly asked the judge to be withdrawn from the case as his attorney.

Kaelin responded, "No, ma'am. That motion is denied."

O'Neil answered back, "Why? He won't accept the plea."

O'Neil was speaking over the judge, explaining the defendant's many problems with the Louisville Metro Department and that he wouldn't accept legal advice.

Kaelin shot back, "You are now disparaging your client to this court!"

O'Neil shockingly came back with, "I bet I don't appear again. Goodbye." She then hung up her phone, disconnecting from the virtual hearing.

That is when Judge Kaelin made a contempt motion for the attorney.

In a later phone interview between the attorney and WDRB, O'Neil stated that will challenge the punishment.

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Photo: Kentucky Court of Justice

Source: WDRB


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