Trump's Terms Judge declares mistrial in Texas ICE detention facility shooting case
Feb 18, 2026
Toluwani Osibamowo, a KERA reporter who covered the Fort Worth courtroom, walks through the mistrial in the Alvarado ICE detention facility shooting case. She describes the shirt controversy that halted jury selection. She recounts the night of the shooting, the legal arguments about influencing the jury pool, reactions from family and attorneys, and the pathway to a new trial next week.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Defendants Describe Protest Turning Violent
- Defendants said they thought they were attending a noise demonstration to support people inside Prairieland Detention Center.
- Shots were fired late at night, injuring a local officer and leading to multiple arrests.
Courtroom Tension Over Political Expression
- Judge Pittman accused defense attorney Mark Clayton of trying to influence the jury pool with his shirt showing civil rights figures.
- Family members said prosecution and attorneys asked the judge not to declare a mistrial, calling it unnecessary.
Judge Stops Trial Over Attorney's Shirt
- Judge Mark Pittman halted jury selection after noticing a defense attorney's politically themed shirt and ruled a mistrial.
- The mistrial was abrupt and drew visible frustration from family members and attorneys in the courtroom.