HOUSTON – One of the teens accused of trying to throw a “Project X”-style party in a newly-built, vacant home was not allowed to go before a Harris County judge Friday morning because of his attire.
Conner Bennet was scheduled to go before the Honorable Jay Karahan, Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8, but was cut off by a bailiff before he could enter the courtroom.
Bennet arrived to court wearing a light-colored V-neck T-shirt, beige cargo shorts and white sneakers with no socks. He was also wearing a huge diamond earring in his ear.
The bailiff told Bennet in the hallway his date would have to be reset.
“So, I’m good?” Bennet asked.
“No, don’t leave,” the female officer said. “You see there is a sign up there, you cannot go in(side) in shorts. Period.”
The bailiff instructed Bennet to wait as she read the rules of the court aloud to everyone else in the hall.
“There’s no gum chewing in the courtroom,” she said. Bennet was chewing on a wad of gum.
The bailiff then continued with the rest of the list which included no shorts and no cell phones.
“Do you have anything you want to talk to us about,” KHOU 11 News photographer John Shaw asked as he filmed Bennett from head to toe.
“No, no comment,” Bennett replied after yawning.
“Can you tell us how many were at that house,” Shaw asked.
Bennett said nothing, while he scratched his nose.
“Do you know who started it or anything, who decided to have the party?” Shaw asked.
Bennett scratched near his eye, stared directly into the camera, then shook his head.
He then leaned against the wall with a sign stating “appropriate attire, no cell phones, no food, drink or gum and no photographs,” as he checked his cell phone.
Bennet then turned to Shaw, smiled and gave him a compliment.
“That’s a sweet safari hat you got,” Bennet said.
Click here to read what he and 10 other teens are accused of doing at KHOU.com.
See the video of Conner Bennet’s courtroom attire at KHOU.com.
