Detroit – A mother in Detroit gained attention after she made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during a virtual court hearing, much to the dismay of the judge.
Judge Sean Perkins expressed his frustration not only with her sandwich-making but also with her attire and her tardiness for the session.
Asja Outerbridge appeared for a misdemeanor charge related to having an open alcohol container in a vehicle. Footage from the 36th District Court captured a tense exchange between her and the judge.
Outerbridge explained, as reported, that she had mixed up her court times, thinking the session started at 1 PM instead of the actual 9 AM. After waiting in the Zoom waiting room for over two hours, she logged in wearing a robe.
When the hearing began, the judge immediately questioned her about her lateness, as she was seen scooping peanut butter from a jar. “Put anything you’re trying to prepare,” he told her sharply.
Outerbridge panned her camera to show a young girl, telling the judge she was trying to take care of her daughter. Perkins then shifted focus to her clothing, emphasizing the importance of dressing appropriately for court.
Outerbridge insisted that she did have something on under her robe and reiterated that her daughter was home sick from school, which complicated her ability to prepare.
“Miss Outerbridge, I’m sorry that your daughter is sick, but you’re in court now,” the judge responded, urging her to treat the situation seriously.
She eventually revealed her casual T-shirt underneath the robe, but the judge still opted to end the hearing.
Outerbridge later described her day as a tough “Mom’s Day,” acknowledging that she had a lot on her plate. She admitted to being “wrong” for not being better prepared and dressed for the court appearance, mentioning her regret to a news outlet.
