The judge almost laughed.
Her mother continued:
“He thought you were just some Black woman.”
The sentence sat heavily.
The judge leaned against the counter.
“Yes.”
Her mother asked:
“Are you angry?”
“Yes.”
“Scared?”
The judge hesitated.
Her mother heard the hesitation.
“You were.”
“Yes.”
“What were you afraid of?”
The judge answered honestly.
“That he’d escalate.”
“Arrest?”
“Maybe.”
“Search the car?”
“Maybe.”
“Touch you?”
She looked away.
“Maybe.”
Her mother’s voice softened.
“You don’t have to make this a legal argument tonight.”
The judge smiled sadly.
“Everyone keeps telling me that.”
“Because you turn feelings into footnotes.”
“I’m a judge.”
“You were annoying before law school.”
The judge laughed.
Good.
Then her mother said:
“Come home this weekend.”
“I have hearings.”
“Saturday.”
“I have writing.”
“Bring it.”
The judge sighed.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Meaning no.”
“Probably.”
Her mother hung up.
The judge finally drank the water.
The next morning, Professional Standards called.
The department had transferred the investigation to an outside county agency because of public attention and the judge’s position.
Good.
The investigator assigned was a Black American lieutenant from a neighboring jurisdiction.
Late forties.
Measured voice.
She began:
“I want to make something clear.”
The judge waited.
“You are not being interviewed as a judge.”
“Good.”
“You are the complainant and witness.”
“Correct.”
“Your title will be included because it became relevant during the stop, but it is not the basis of the investigation.”
The judge nodded.
“Good.”
The lieutenant continued:
“I will ask you the same questions I would ask anybody.”
“Please do.”
“Some may sound skeptical.”
“That’s your job.”
The interview lasted ninety minutes.
When did she first observe the taillight intact?
Had she inspected it before driving?
Was there preexisting damage?
Could the flashlight strike have been accidental?
Did the officer say he intended to break it?
No.
Important.
The judge did not embellish.
She had seen deliberate movement.
But intent had to be inferred from behavior.
The lieutenant asked:
“Could he have been pointing at the light and struck it accidentally?”
The judge thought.
“No.”
“Why?”
“He pulled his arm back.”