On Friday, August 29, 2025, WDRB reported that Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Jessica Green recused herself from a case due to severe racial and sexual threats directed at her and her family.
The threats followed her decision to grant shock probation to Armond Langford, who later kidnapped a Louisville family at knifepoint and robbed a bank.
In her recusal order, Green stated that the threats included explicit calls for bodily harm, sexual assault, and death, with her personal information posted online, including suggestions to surround her home until she quits. The barrage of letters, emails, and calls to her office contained offensive racial slurs, including one message referring to her with a racial epithet and derogatory stereotypes.
Langford’s case, originally assigned randomly to Green’s division, will now be reassigned to another courtroom. Green emphasized that her judicial decisions are based solely on facts and applicable law. However, she expressed concern that the public’s outrage could lead to misperceptions about her rulings, prompting her recusal to ensure the case’s integrity.
The incident that sparked the threats occurred last month when Langford allegedly held a Louisville mother, Jennifer Strong, at knifepoint, forcing her to drive him and her children to a St. Matthews bank to demand $20,000. Strong was injured during the ordeal.
Langford’s prior criminal history raised public questions about his release. Court records indicate he pleaded guilty in early 2024 to robbing multiple Louisville ATMs in 2021, a crime prosecutors described as terrorizing the community. At his July 10, 2024, shock probation hearing, prosecutors opposed his release.
Langford had been in custody for several years, including time at the Louisville jail and Roederer Correctional Complex in Oldham County, before being transferred to a halfway house due to his low-risk assessment. Both facilities reported to Green that Langford had no disciplinary issues. Green also considered Langford’s history of mental illness and a traumatic brain injury, expressing hope that he could enter mental health court for structured support. However, a state assessment deemed him ineligible for the program due to a low risk of reoffending.
Court records show Green took extra steps to monitor Langford’s behavior, going beyond standard practice to ensure he posed no danger. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Julie Kaelin, who oversees the mental health court, noted in an email that Green did everything possible to support Langford’s rehabilitation.
Retired Judge McKay Chauvin, former chief court administrator, stated that judges face challenging sentencing decisions, knowing that even well-considered rulings can lead to negative outcomes and public backlash.
Shock probation, typically for first-time or non-violent offenders, was granted to Langford despite his violent offense, with conditions including mental health treatment and medication compliance.
Green stressed the importance of balancing community safety with support for mentally ill individuals, committing to monitor Langford’s progress.
Source: WDRB
