Indiana judge scolded over impartiality in rent case

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - The Indiana Court of Appeals has scolded a county judge for belittling a woman for living in government-subsidized housing.

The court chastised Tippecanoe County Judge Laura Zeman after reversing her order directing Dyamond Harris to pay $78 in back rent. It found that Zeman improperly shifted the burden of proof to Harris without documented evidence she owed rent.

The Journal & Courier reports the ruling also says Zeman "crossed the barrier of impartiality and prejudiced" the case with comments she made during two hearings.

Zeman told Harris at one hearing that "one of the problems in our country" is people living in government-subsidized housing get "free apartments and the rest of us have to work to pay for it."

Zeman has declined to comment.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com