A teenager accused of assault, who admitted she was high on pot at her previous court hearing, outraged the judge on Friday by turning up in ripped jeans and an off-the-shoulder top.
Chazmia Morrison is accused of taking part in the beating of a fellow female student at Brooklyn Academy High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York.
It was originaly thought the 17-year-old would admit attempted felony assault in exchange for five years’ probation and youth offender status.
But on Friday she appeared to have killed her chance of probation by strutting up to the defence table looking very sullen and uncooperative.
Her skimpy top revealed her bra straps and hearts and stars tattoos on her shoulders.
Incredulous Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Patricia DiMango said: ‘Are you going to a club or something?
‘You’re showing me your tattoos, your bra straps. That’s how you’re going to impress me?’
Mrs DiMango, 58, has a reputation for being a tough judge … and for dressing smartly.
She was already angry with Morrison from the first hearing when the teenager admitted she was high on pot.
Mrs DiMango had asked her the routine question of whether she was on anything that might cloud her judgment and negate the plea.
Morrison stunned the courtroom admitted she was high on marijuana.
Friday’s hearing was in effect a second chance for Morrison to opt for a plea deal.
She was required to admit under oath that she had been part of the group of jealous girls who attacked Shacara McLaurin.
The teen singer was hit in the face with a padlock wrapped in a sock, allegedly to prevent her from performing in a talent show.
Mrs DiMango offered Morrison drug treatment yesterday as part of the plea package.
But the defiant Morrison said she didn’t need it, the New York Post reports.
‘If you don’t have a [drug] problem, you’re really a brat for coming to court high!’ Mrs DiMango snapped back.
‘There are [people who have been] heroin addicts for years who don’t shoot up before they come to court.’
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