A federal judge in Texas has declared a mistrial in a closely watched case against nine protesters accused of terrorism, after a defence lawyer wore a T-shirt featuring images of civil rights leaders. Judge Mark Pittman, a Donald Trump appointee, halted proceedings on Tuesday shortly after jury selection began in Fort Worth, citing the shirt's potential to bias jurors.
The shirt, worn by attorney MarQuetta Clayton under a black blazer, depicted Martin Luther King Jr, Shirley Chisholm and other figures from the civil rights movement. Judge Pittman said the garment sent a political message that could unfairly equate the defendants' actions with those of the civil rights struggle. He also noted that he would be equally concerned if prosecutors wore pro-ICE or pro-Trump imagery.
Clayton had been questioning potential jurors for about 20 minutes when the judge stopped the trial. Pittman said he had no choice but to declare a mistrial, remarking that it might be 'a first in American jurisprudence'. The trial will now restart next Monday with a completely new panel of jurors. Clayton, who is running for a county judge post, declined to comment.
The nine defendants were charged with terrorism after a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility near Fort Worth on 4 July. Prosecutors allege they set off fireworks, sprayed graffiti, slashed tyres and destroyed a security camera. One protester is accused of shooting and wounding a police officer. It is the first time the US government has filed terrorism charges against antifa, an umbrella left-leaning movement.
Defence lawyers unanimously opposed the mistrial, arguing any potential bias could be addressed during jury selection. The lead prosecutor said he had not seen a similar situation. One dismissed juror said he had not even seen the shirt, while another noted he recognised the imagery but insisted it would not have influenced his judgment. Supporters of the defendants gathered outside the courthouse, expressing dismay at the ruling.
