A federal judge abruptly declared a mistrial Tuesday in the case of nine alleged Antifa members charged in connection with a July 4, 2025, ambush at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, citing a defense attorney’s attire as the reason.
The ruling came during jury selection, before any jurors were seated or opening statements delivered.
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman cited attorney MarQuetta Clayton for wearing a T-shirt under her blazer that depicted civil rights icons, including Shirley Chisholm and Martin Luther King Jr., during voir dire.
“I don’t know why in the world you would think that’s appropriate,” Pittman told Clayton, according to Fox News.
Jones clarified that the court could not determine how many potential jurors had noticed the shirt or whether it influenced their impressions, leaving the judge no alternative but to halt the trial.
“If you think I want a mistrial, you’re crazy,” Pittman said, emphasizing that the attire violated trial conduct rules prohibiting graphics that could sway a jury or provide testimony.
Clayton, representing defendant Maricela Rueda, attempted to turn her shirt inside out after the judge questioned her about the imagery.
The attorney also sought to display a poster showing scenes of protest without prior approval, prompting further concern from the court about procedural violations, Fox 26 Houston reported.
The nine defendants face multiple federal charges, including attempted murder of a federal officer, after prosecutors said they carried out a coordinated attack involving fireworks, property damage, and gunfire.
An Alvarado police officer responding to the scene was shot in the neck but survived.
Federal authorities described the suspects as a North Texas Antifa cell and the case as the first federal indictment tied to alleged Antifa-related domestic terrorism.
Earlier in jury selection, 75 potential jurors answered standard questions, while roughly 20 expressed opposition to ICE operations or described themselves as part of immigrant families.
Pittman said a fresh pool of 130 jurors will be brought in next week to restart selection, noting the logistical and financial implications of the mistrial.
Supporters of the defendants criticized the mistrial, asserting the gathering was a protest, not a violent plot.
Amber Lowrey, sister of defendant Savanna Batten, described her sister’s participation as nonviolent and called the judge’s decision “rash,” according to CBS News.
She noted several jurors voiced skepticism of ICE or the Trump administration’s actions.
Legal analysts said the mistrial adds uncertainty to the case and may influence testimony from defendants who previously pleaded guilty. Some may cooperate with prosecutors under Rule 5K provisions, potentially shaping the trial when it resumes.
The case has drawn attention nationally, with FBI Director Kash Patel labeling the defendants as “anarchist violent extremists” on social media platform X.
Advocates supporting the defendants maintain the incident began as a demonstration in solidarity with detainees, disputing the characterization of the attack as terrorism and questioning whether prosecutors have provided complete medical records for the injured officer.
Judge Pittman plans a show-cause hearing to determine whether Clayton should face sanctions and will issue a revised order on time limits for voir dire.
The mistrial delays proceedings in a high-profile federal case that has already attracted public scrutiny, emphasizing the impact of courtroom procedure and attorney conduct on trial outcomes.
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