An accomplished black prosecutor in Missouri was called a vile racist slur by a defense attorney who wasn't happy with her strict plea deals, a complaint said.
Lynette Lockhart is a well-respected assistant prosecuting attorney in Platte County as well as an adjunct law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and US Army veteran.
In May 2024, Lockhart, 43, filed a legal complaint against Platte City defense attorney Scott Campbell for calling her a 'n****' in March of that year, the complaint reviewed by the Daily Mail read.
The 60-year-old white man later confessed to calling her the slur, which he said while having a discussion with another attorney 'about his ability to get along with various Platte County assistant prosecutors,' the complaint detailed.
The other attorney mentioned to Campbell that he experienced 'difficulty obtaining favorable plea offers' from Lockhart, who was the assistant prosecuting attorney handling the criminal docket that day.
Campbell then replied to his colleague: 'Is it because she is a n****?,' the legal document said.
Though she was not there when Campbell called her the horrible slur, Lockhart later found out what he said from her colleagues, Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd, and first assistant prosecuting attorney Mark Gibson, according to the complaint.
'When I learned that Mr. Campbell called me n****, I cried. Certainly, I was offended and hurt, which might be expected,' Lockhart wrote in the legal documents.
Lynette Lockhart, a high-achieving African American prosecutor in Missouri, was called a vile racial slur by Platte City defense attorney Scott Campbell in March 2024
Campbell (far right) asked his colleague: 'Is it because she is a n****?' about Lockhart after the other attorney he's expressed 'difficulty obtaining favorable plea offers' from her
The attorney said that she suffered for weeks on end with 'self-doubt, incessant questioning, and frankly, fear of anyone around me' after hearing what Campbell called her.
She further detailed how being called the highly offensive word made her feel like others looked at her as 'a criminal, a piece of garbage or trash, a piece of property, with a dollar value, worth less than a dog, and unworthy of rights, justice, education, success, or safety,' the filing read.
During his confession, Campbell admitted that he 'said a very stupid thing' to Lockhart, and that he is 'un-Godly sorry about it,' the complaint read.
'I will never speak or write that word ever in my life under any circumstances. It was a terrible mistake on my part, that word, and I did it.
'I really like Ms. Lockhart,' the defense attorney added, per the complaint.
He was then told: 'Don't use that word,' by Nicole Fisher, a member of the disciplinary committee who questioned Campbell about the incident.
In response, Campbell said he is aware of that now, but prior, no one has ever made it clear to him that the slur is offensive and wrong because he 'grew up in the backwoods.'
'I know that now,' he said. 'Nobody ever really told me that directly. I grew up in the backwoods. And I should have known that. I've been to classes but they never discussed that.
'I did it that one time and it will never happen again, ever. Ever.'
The attorney said that she suffered for weeks on end with 'self-doubt, incessant questioning, and frankly, fear of anyone around me,' after hearing what Campbell called her
After initially hearing of Lockhart's complaint, Campbell stated: 'These allegations made me literally sick to my stomach.'
After Campbell confessed, he told the committee that he would resign as a member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Commission, which is a nominated group for judges in Platte County.
He was found guilty of professional misconduct last year under the state's rules for professional legal conduct.
The rules state that is is wrong for a lawyer to 'manifest by words or conduct, in representing a client, bias or prejudice, or harassment, including but not limited to bias, prejudice, or harassment based upon race, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, or marital status.'
Although he admitted and was found guilty in the incident, it is up to the state's highest court to determine punishment for attorneys found guilty of such conduct.
Campbell ultimately admitted to his actions and resigned as a member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Commission. The fate of his legal career is now in the hands of
Campbell could just be reprimanded for his actions, suspended, or disbarred for what he did. He could also walk away scot-free.
The fate of his legal career is now in the hands of the Missouri Supreme Court.
When the Daily Mail contacted Lockhart for comment, she said: 'All my feelings on it [the case] are public.'
The Daily Mail contacted Campbell's office for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
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