Florida Judge Asks Domestic Violence Suspect How to Cook Steak

A Florida judge made headlines by asking a domestic violence suspect how to cook a perfect steak right before setting his bond low. Allison Gilman, who presides over the 17th Judicial Circuit, posed the question directly to Christopher Johnson during his hearing. He was arrested Monday on charges of domestic battery.

Johnson happens to work as a chef at a local Florida bar. When asked what dish he would prepare if cooking for her, he replied that he would start with a steak on the grill. Footage obtained by WSVN captured the exchange. Gilman explained she either burned the outside or overcooked it inside. Johnson then suggested angling the meat at the 10 o'clock and two o'clock positions in the pan. She simply said, 'Wow.'

She pressed further on how to avoid making the steak chewy but stopped herself mid-sentence. 'That's also another – but that's for another day, I guess,' she admitted later. The conversation shifted quickly after this culinary lesson. Gilman set his bond at $1,500 and asked if he could afford it. Court records show Johnson was previously arrested for aggravated battery against the same victim while she was pregnant with their child, according to WSVN.

Johnson confirmed he could pay the amount. 'Yes,' he replied. She told him of course he could handle those kinds of cooking things before mentioning she needed to visit the restaurant where he worked. 'There are so many restaurants I have to go to and, yeah, I'll see you at Slackers. What do I order at Slackers? Is it the wings?' she asked.

This was not the first time Gilman discussed food with defendants in her courtroom. Earlier this month, she told a seafood restaurant employee she did not want to get into her 'shrimp-making abilities.' Linda Parker, CEO of Women in Distress, condemned the judge's behavior during the Johnson hearing. She told WSVN that asking about steak while discussing domestic violence sends a dangerous message to survivors. It suggests justice is up for grabs based on trivial topics like food.

The chief judge in Broward County said they were aware of the video clip but offered no comment. The Daily Mail has also reached out to Gilman seeking her response to the bizarre exchange.