Erin P. Gall, a former New York state Supreme Court justice, has stepped down after a judicial watchdog recommended her removal over her threatening remarks toward Black teenagers at a 2022 party. The incident, captured on police body cameras, revealed Gall berating the teens and suggesting lethal measures, prompting widespread condemnation and raising concerns about racial bias within the judiciary.

The July 2022 incident occurred at a graduation party in Oneida County, where Gall, a white Republican, confronted four Black teens who were reportedly trying to locate their car keys to leave. Bodycam footage shows Gall ordering them to leave, mocking their speech, and at one point, telling officers, “You can shoot them on the property. I’ll shoot them on the property.” Her behavior sparked outrage and led to an investigation by a state judicial commission.

Gall initially resisted the commission’s ruling, which concluded that her actions displayed “the appearance of racial bias” and violated judicial ethics. However, after months of appeals, she announced her resignation, describing the decision as “extremely difficult.” Critics have questioned how a sitting judge could fail to recognize the gravity of threatening unarmed teens in front of law enforcement officers.

The footage also captured Gall attempting to leverage her judicial authority, repeatedly emphasizing her position. She alternated between criticizing police officers for not arresting the teens and expressing support for their actions, stating, “I’m always on your side.” Her comments, including disparaging remarks about the teens’ intelligence, underscored her abuse of power and contributed to the public outcry.

Gall’s resignation marks the end of a contentious chapter but has reignited broader discussions about systemic racism and accountability in the judiciary. Advocacy groups have called for stricter oversight to ensure that similar instances of bias and misconduct do not undermine public trust in the legal system.