Timothy C. Ellender claims he didn't intend to look like a black inmate. That doesn't explain why the Houma, Louisiana, State District Judge ventured out on Halloween night, clad in an orange prisoner's jumpsuit and leg irons, his face painted black and sporting an afro wig.

Ellender's outing to a local restaurant began stirring debate over the following week as complaints hit the area chapter of the NAACP. Chapter president Jerome Boykin questioned how African-Americans could feel comfortable going before Ellender after his "distasteful demonstration of racial insensitivity.

None of Ellender's associates recall any racist behaviour, and Assistant DA Juan Pickett - a black man - calls Ellender tough but colour-blind. Restaurant owner Jody Martin says Ellender's costume was just "funny." That same night, Martin was dressed as Buckwheat.

Ellender plans to meet with NAACP leaders, who, at press-time, were still debating filing a formal complaint to Louisiana's judiciary commission.

» Scott Saxon