Despite forum moderator Jim Engster having seen Sound Off Louisiana founder Robert Burns on numerous occasions at Baton Rouge Press Club (BRPC) meetings over the last 11 years, on Monday, April 20, 2026 he nevertheless sought to belittle Burns by inquiring, “Could you tell us what Sound Off Louisiana is?” Well, for one thing, we’re the “video blog” which first broke the Ronald Greene matter on September 10, 2020.
In September 2023, following a contempt proceeding in the 22nd Judicial District Court (JDC) for St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Judge William “Billy” Burris found community activist Belinda Parker-Brown in constructive contempt of court as reported upon by Sound Off Louisiana (and only by us).
The finding stemmed from Parker-Brown’s interactions during a recess in the misdemeanor case State v. India Armani Ratliff (a member of her organization, Louisiana United International). Parker-Brown was accused of interfering with the public defender’s representation of the defendant by providing unauthorized legal advice or assistance without a license, in violation of Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Articles 23:4 and 23:6.
On September 7, 2023 (as noted on the prior-linked feature), after a hearing, Judge Burris imposed a $1,000 fine (plus costs) and permanently banned Parker-Brown from his courtroom (Division E) and all misdemeanor proceedings in the 22nd JDC, unless she was subpoenaed as a witness, appeared as a party, or obtained specific written authorization from the presiding judge.
In the immediate aftermath, Parker-Brown initiated litigation to challenge the contempt finding, fine, and ban on constitutional grounds (primarily First Amendment protections for speech and petition rights, as well as related Sixth Amendment issues concerning the defendant’s right to counsel). The key filings and proceedings follow:
- Federal removal attempt (September 2023): On the day of the contempt hearing (or shortly before), Parker-Brown and Ratliff filed a Joint Notice of Removal to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (case referenced as 2:23-cv-05119). They asserted violations of federal rights by the state court. Parker-Brown also filed a “suggestion of Contempt of Removal,” seeking to have Judge Burris appear before the federal court to show cause why he should not face sanctions. As we have previously reported, U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk summarily remanded the matter back to the 22nd JDC on or about September 18, 2023.The federal court ruled that the removal was untimely (exceeding the 30-day limit under 28 U.S.C. § 1455(b)(1)), procedurally deficient (lacking required copies of pleadings and orders), and lacked any statutory basis (e.g., no showing that Parker-Brown was acting under federal officers per 28 U.S.C. § 1442).The motion against Judge Burris was dismissed as moot.
- State appellate review: Parker-Brown also filed an application for supervisory writs to the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit (Docket No. 2023 KW 0989). On January 11, 2024, the court upheld the contempt finding (determining that the evidence was sufficient beyond a reasonable doubt) but vacated the $1,000 fine as exceeding the statutory maximum of $500 under La. Code Crim. P. art. 25(B) and remanded for resentencing. It also reversed the permanent ban, holding that the trial court erred by imposing such a broad restriction under its contempt authority. A subsequent application for rehearing was largely denied (with partial grant on clerical matters). Parker-Brown then sought review from the Louisiana Supreme Court (Docket No. 2024 KK 00539), which denied the writ application on September 17, 2024.
- U.S. Supreme Court petition: Parker-Brown filed a pro se petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court (Docket No. 24-667, In re Belinda Parker Brown v. State of Louisiana), with supporting appendices filed in December 2024. The petition raised First Amendment challenges, arguing that the contempt citation and associated restrictions unconstitutionally punished out-of-court speech and advocacy during a recess (at the defendant’s invitation and without obstructing proceedings), failing the “clear and present danger” standard for overriding free-speech protections. The petition was ultimately denied by the U.S. Supreme Court.
On Monday, April 20, 2026, Judge Burris was a participant in the Baton Rouge Press Club (BRPC)’s forum featuring the two candidates for the vacancy in the Louisiana Supreme Court which arose as a result of the elevation of Associate Justice William J. Crain to the Federal judiciary. Burris’ opponent, Judge Blair Downing Edwards (wife of former long-time Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards, former Gov. John Bel Edwards’ brother), presently serves on the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeals.
Both candidates are Republicans and, since they are the only two candidates who qualified for the race, the winner of the May 16, 2026 election will be the newest Louisiana Supreme Court Justice.
At the forum, Sound Off Louisiana founder Robert Burns attempted to pose a question about the above matter, only to be almost immediately shut down by forum moderator Jim Engster. Nevertheless, in the limited highly censored (and, in our minds, inappropriate) action by Engster, each candidate did respond to the question, and here are those responses in full and, in total nonconformity with the “Jim Engster censoring modus operandi,” without one single second edited out of either candidates’ response:
After Engster severely curtails Burns’ question regarding the detailed post above (but with him obviously willing to kill valuable time asking Burns to elaborate on what “Sound Off Louisiana is,” each candidate responds to the highly censored question.
It’s sort of comical to an extent that Engster publicly professed to be unfamiliar with Sound Off Louisiana (trust us, he most certainly is), yet Burris readily knew that Burns had previously done a feature on his court hearing entailing Parker Brown. How ironic, huh?
Now, in fairness to Engster, he did close the forum with a compliment to Burns, and Burns responded in kind. Here’s that short segment:
Engster closes with a smile toward Burns and saying, “He’s a good man,” to which Burns responded: “He (Engster) is too.”
Had we not felt we’d more than worn out our welcome with Engster, we would have loved to have posed this question: “How do each of you feel about cameras being permitted in the courtroom?” Who knows, perhaps Engster may have permitted Burns to squeeze in that entire 13 words.
Look, we all have shortcomings (and that most certainly includes Burns), and we’re going to write off today’s episode with Engster as merely an instance in which he exposed one of his shortcomings. We are, however, making it clear that he’s not going to intimidate Burns one iota if that’s his gameplan!
Through modern technology, Belinda Parker-Brown has viewed Burris’ statements above and sought a Zoom meeting for her to counter his statements. We have completed that Zoom meeting with her, and here is its contents:
Parker-Brown (along with a brief appearance by her husband, Carl) respond to Burris’ statement above regarding her being “permanently banned” from his courtroom.
Interestingly enough, the initial defendant in the whole matter, India Armani Ratliff, who ultimately had her charges dropped by the prosecution, has also indicated a desire to, along with Parker-Brown, appear on Sound Off Louisiana to state first-hand what all she asserts happened during her prosecution. We look very forward to having that opportunity very soon!
In the meantime, let us just say that we attended the forum with the expectation that, since the race is between two incumbent members of the Judicial Branch of Louisiana Government, we expected a pretty low-key non-attack forum.
We were in for the shock of our lives because as evidenced by this video of the entire forum, these two candidates really went for the jugulars of one other!
We’re wrap it up with these words: May the best candidate win!
It is no secret Mr. Burns is very much a gentleman and respectful to everyone, but does not back down…
Keep up the good work, Mr. Burns.