‘My statement was an insensitive and graphic overreaction to the criticism.’
and ability to work with people and get things done. It saddened me greatly to learn that some people view the term to be demeaning to people of color. I never knew that there was a different definition of the term.”
Carney made a second comment to Gray during a later conversation with her. Carney said that during the conversation, he learned that some found his “streetsmart” remark to warrant his stepping down as chief district judge.
“In a moment of anger and frustration, I said to Ms. Gray that the people criticizing me were equating my well-intended use of the term ‘street-smart’ with the reprehensible conduct of a police officer putting his knee on a person’s neck,” Carney said.
Carney did not include the exact quote, but he apologized: “My statement was wrong. It was directed at my critics, not Ms. Gray, and I said it with no ill will or disrespect towards people of color. My statement was an insensitive and graphic overreaction to the criticism that was leveled against me. I never should have made the comparison.”
The decision by Carney to step down comes amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s unprecedented disruptions to courts, forcing courthouses to close or limit access, with a delay in trials and a growing backlog in cases. In the Central District of California, several judicial vacancies have gone unfilled, compounding the workload.
In the June 9 webinar, Carney expressed hope that some of the judicial posts would soon be occupied.