![]() ![]() ![]() Mahoney said she only used the full word after she detected confusion about what exactly she meant by “the N-word.” “To illustrate my point, I repeated an example of harmful hate speech previously given to me by one of the meeting participants, and said ‘like the N-word.'” “It was my position that hate speech can never be tolerated and that the use of such words as slurs or derogatory terms are not protected free speech,” Mahoney continued. 9th Zoom meeting that precipitated her resignation as chief presiding judge concerned the use of derogatory terms, such as “Nazi,” among employees in the workplace “where the intent had been to bully, demean, harass, and intimidate others,” Mahoney said in a statement. In the letter, Anderson argues that because of the use of the word, “it is hard to imagine a situation where an African American litigant, attorney or witness might appear before you and be able to see you as an unbiased, impartial, or fair judge.” King County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, domestic violence protection orders, small claims and other matters.Īnderson also thanks Mahoney for stepping down as chief presiding judge of King County District Court, but asks that she resign altogether. “It sickens me to write that word, even in the context of this message, but I find it necessary to use your exact language for clarity–appalling language that fell from your lips with such ease and comfort that it might not have been the first time you spoke that word socially,” Anderson writes in the letter, dated March 1, 2022, which was also sent to Mahoney. In a letter sent to the commission last month and obtained by KNKX, King County District Court Judge Marcine Anderson wrote that she was outraged by Mahoney’s use of the N-word. York does not name the judge but writes that “the judge in question will not have any supervisory role with staff and will not appear in court until this matter is settled.” York explains that only the commission can discipline a judge but assures staff that they are taking the allegation seriously and are addressing the issue. In an email obtained by KNKX dated April 1, York wrote to staff to tell them he knows “many of you have heard that there is an allegation that a KCDC judge used racist language during a meeting.” News about Mahoney’s use of the racial slur has spread slowly, and her career now hangs in the balance. Several judges have sent complaints to the Commission on Judicial Conduct for Washington state, an investigatory body tasked with disciplining judges. Some colleagues, however, are calling for Mahoney’s immediate resignation as a King County District Court judge. Andrea Jarmon, a Black judge who has worked in King County Superior Court and practiced criminal and family law, said she intends to run for Mahoney's seat. If Mahoney does decide to seek reelection, she already has at least one opponent. A former assistant city attorney for Des Moines, Washington, Mahoney, 58, would not say whether she plans to run again, but in a sign that she intends to begin raising funds for a campaign, she recently registered with the Public Disclosure Commission. What’s more, Mahoney, who has been elected three times, is up for reelection this year. ![]() Mahoney served as chief presiding judge, a position that is responsible for the supervision of business and administrative duties at the court, for the last two years. Troy Brown, communication manager for King County District Court, said Judge Matthew York has replaced Mahoney as chief presiding judge. She is currently a judge in Burien in the King County District Court’s south division. Judge Susan Mahoney resigned from her position as chief presiding judge at King County District Court in late February after colleagues accused her of saying the N-word during a recent meeting with employees. A King County judge is under investigation for allegedly using a racial slur, KNKX has learned - a development that has rippled through legal circles for weeks and raised questions about electoral plans. ![]()
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