Overview
- U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman halted proceedings during voir dire after noticing attorney MarQuetta Clayton wearing a shirt depicting Martin Luther King Jr. and Shirley Chisholm, calling it inappropriate for court.
- The judge dismissed the day’s panel of potential jurors and said a new, larger pool will be brought in next week to begin jury selection again.
- Pittman indicated he will hold a show‑cause hearing to consider sanctions for the attorney and noted the delay will add significant cost and disrupt the court’s schedule.
- Nine defendants face federal charges including attempted murder of a federal officer, rioting and providing material support to terrorists over a July 4, 2025 attack at the Prairieland ICE Detention Center that left an Alvarado officer shot in the neck.
- Prosecutors say the case involves a North Texas Antifa cell; several co‑defendants have pleaded guilty and may testify, and alleged ringleader Benjamin Hanil Song, captured after a manhunt, has signaled he will take the stand.