‘I Cried’: Assistant Prosecutor Speaks Out After Defense Lawyer Allegedly Used Racial Slur

A Black assistant prosecutor was allegedly called the n-word by a defense attorney during a courtroom incident in March 2024, leading to formal complaints being filed with The Missouri Bar and possible disciplinary action against the lawyer.

Lynnette Lockhart, a licensed attorney in Missouri and New York who also served as a Judge advocate for the United States Army, is pursuing legal action against defense attorney Scott Campbell after he referred to her using a racial slur during a courthouse conversation.

Campbell now faces possible suspension, disbarment, or other disciplinary sanctions.

On the day of the incident, Campbell was representing several clients in Division V of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Platte County during a criminal docket, while Lockhart was handling the proceedings.

Campbell was speaking with another attorney about working with various Platte County assistant prosecutors. When the other attorney argued that it was difficult to obtain favorable plea deals from Lockhart, Campbell responded by asking, “Is it because she is a n—r?” according to court documents cited by Atlanta Black Star.

Lockhart said she later learned about the remark from Eric Zahnd and Mark Gibson. In her complaint to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (OCDC), she wrote that the incident left her struggling with “constant self-doubt” and questioning her colleagues around her.

“When I learned that Mr. Campbell called me a ‘N—-,’ I cried,” Lockhart wrote to the OCDC. “Certainly, I was offended and hurt, which might be expected. But what came after was weeks of self-doubt, incessant questioning, and frankly, fear of anyone around me, including those colleagues who I thought I could trust, even though the only person I had reason to doubt is Mr. Campbell.”

“That’s the problem with the N word. There are not enough academic, professional, or financial accomplishments in the world for me to attain that can outweigh the color of my skin,” she added.

“I thought, after practicing law for over 15 years, serving my country for nine years in the United States Army, and being a resident of Platte County for almost 10 years, that I wouldn’t have to see myself as different than my neighbors, colleagues, and friends.”

Meanwhile, Campbell told the OCDC that the allegations made him “sick to my stomach.” He said, “I have worked with Ms. Lockhart on many, many cases. I have nothing but respect for her as a person and as an attorney.”

While Campbell admitted to using the n-word, he said that he was never taught to not use the slur because he “grew up in the backwoods.”

“I did it that one time, and it will never happen again ever. Ever,” Campbell said. "I am truly sorry for the pain this situation has caused her and I hope one day she will forgive me.”

Campbell resigned from his position on the Sixth Circuit Judicial Commission, a nominating committee for judges in Platte County.

The disciplinary committee found Campbell guilty of professional misconduct. The decision to suspend or reprimand Campbell lies with the Missouri Supreme Court.

During a court hearing on April 14, Andrea Spillars, an OCDC attorney, pointed to Campbell’s 34 years of legal experience and said that he should have known better.

“It is simply inconceivable that respondent was not aware of the historically negative racial connotations surrounding that slur,” Spillars said, according to Missouri Lawyers Media. “To find otherwise would require we suspend belief.”

James Morrow, Campbell’s attorney, argued that it was a “whispered statement.”

“It doesn’t excuse the statement at all,” he added. Morrow said that the context could have been worse had the word been used as an insult, a bullying or an intimidating statement in order to “get something from someone.”

“But we know that it was an isolated one time (incident), and there is absolutely no evidence in this record that this has ever been stated by Mr. Campbell at any other time, especially in a situation that would involve representation of a client.”