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A Texas federal judge declared a mistrial on Tuesday in the case involving nine individuals accused of ambushing a police officer at an ICE detention center. The unexpected decision came after one of the defense attorneys wore a controversial T-shirt during proceedings.
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman identified the issue with attorney MarQuetta Clayton’s attire, which featured civil rights leaders and was partially visible under her jacket. Clayton, representing Maricela Rueda, wore the shirt during the jury selection process.
“I don’t know why you would think that’s appropriate,” Pittman remarked to Clayton, according to the Texas Standard. The attire was deemed inappropriate for the courtroom setting.
The incident took place at the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, where the officer was critically injured on July 4, 2025. Multiple ICE officers were also hit during the attack, as reported by (KDFW).
Judge Pittman became aware of the shirt, which bore images of Shirley Chisholm and Martin Luther King Jr., following Clayton’s 22-minute questioning of potential jurors, as noted by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“This has to be a first in the history of American jurisprudence, I would think,” Pittman said. “I’m left with no other choice.”
The other defense attorneys opposed a mistrial. The judge said he would schedule a show-cause hearing in which Clayton will have to explain why she should not be sanctioned, according to the newspaper.
Jury selection began Tuesday with 75 potential jurors. A pool of 130 jurors will be brought in next Tuesday to start the process again, Pittman said.
The Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas that was attacked in July by members of Antifa, federal prosecutors said. A mistrial was declared Tuesday in the trial of nine alleged Antifa members charged in connection with the attack and shooting of a police officer outside the facility. (Justice Department; KDFW)
Around 20 potential jurors said they opposed ICE efforts to combat illegal immigration.
“We’re a family of immigrants,” one potential juror reportedly said.
The nine defendants are accused of participating in an alleged ambush at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center on July 4, 2025.
The defendants ignited fireworks and damaged buildings and vehicles before firing on federal officers, federal prosecutors said. An Alvarado police officer responding to a 911 call was shot in the neck and survived.
Prosecutors said the attack was orchestrated by members of what they describe as a North Texas Antifa cell. The defendants have denied wrongdoing.
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