Judge Delivers Verbal Smackdown To A Gang Member And It Is AWESOMESAUCE!

Judge Lila Statom doesn't take crap from anybody – least of all a known gang member in her courtroom.

According to this, O'Shea Smith was arrested and on trial for shooting a rival gang member who Smith says was "in his hood." And Judge Statom had harsh words for Smith's assumption. Watch –

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After this video went viral and there was an overwhelming positive response to it, Judge Statom was interviewed about it. And what she said makes this whole exchange even better! –

I didn't want to allow him to take control over a courtroom when I felt he had maybe taken control over an area of town. He needed to at least see that he was not in control everywhere," said Statom, when she sat down with Channel 3 Friday for an interview.

Statom grew up in Red Bank.. She says both sets of her grandparents lived at East Lake Courts.

"We'd walk across the street to get an ice cream, walk to the grocery store. We'd walk to church."

She says she felt compelled to 'school' the gang member.

"It makes me upset because there are people that live in East Lake Courts who get up and go to work every day. They take their children to daycare," she said.

Statom does not want the actions of a few to define an entire community.

"It's unfair that anyone has to live among this violence. Especially when most of the violent people don't live in that community."

Statom hopes her position on the bench can be used to encourage others to stand up against violence in their communities.    

"I hope that I can give people that are coming to testify, hope, that it does make a difference if you stand up."

Statom says she is surprised by the overwhelming positive reactions to her comments.

I absolutely LOVE this for several reasons: Judge Statom is exactly right – gangs don't "own" the territory they've claimed, nor should they allowed to run roughshod over a community that isn't involved in their gang activity.

Hopefully Judge Statom and the law enforcement officials she works with will be able to make a positive change in her community.

(h/t The Blaze)