Posted on 02/18/2026 8:06:00 AM PST by MtnClimber
One of the woke attorneys for an Antifa terror defendant wore clothing with politically-charged messaging to jury selection.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A mistrial has been declared on the first day of the historic first federal Antifa terrorism trial after a woke lawyer for one of the defendants engaged in misconduct.
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman halted the jury selection process after noticing that MarQuetta Clayton, a BLM-activist attorney for one of the defendants, was wearing a politically-charged t-shirt with images of Martin Luther King, Jr. and messaging about civil rights.
Judge Pittman found her clothing could prejudice jurors. His ruling came on the first day of jury selection in Fort Worth, weeks after nine federal defendants were indicted on charges stemming from a July 4, 2025 shooting ambush on the Prairieland ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas. A local police officer responding to the riot was shot in the neck. One of the defendants escaped from the scene, leading to a Texas-most-wanted manhunt for almost two weeks.
MarQuetta Clayton, who is running to be a judge in Tarrant County, Texas, is a BLM-style activist
Clayton often wears political clothing
“I don’t know why in the world you would think that’s appropriate,” Pittman told Clayton. During her politically-charged questioning of jurors, she mentioned Jesse Jackson’s death, framing her side as being the side of civil rights and justice.
The judge told her that wearing that shirt would be akin to the prosecution wearing a shirt with “Donald Trump riding an eagle with an ICE flag.” It could bias or intimidate the jurors toward a particular view. He said he had never declared a mistrial before today.
Clayton is running to be a criminal court judge in Tarrant County, Texas.
Antifa supporters set up tabling outside the courthouse for their comrades facing trial
Clayton is representing defendant Maricela Rueda. Rueda’s co-defendants include several Trantifa activists. Seven other co-defendants have already pleaded guilty and admitted on record that they were organizing under an Antifa ideology. Some of those defendants are expected to be witnesses for the prosecution.
Those facing trial are facing charges of providing material support to terrorism, attempted murder, conspiracy and firearm offenses.
The nine defendants are:
Benjamin Song
Cameron Arnold, a.k.a. “Autumn Hill” (trans)
Maricela Rueda
Bradford “Meagan Elizabeth” Morris (trans)
Ines Soto
Elizabeth Soto
Savanna Batten
Daniel Sanchez Estrada
Zachary Evetts
A new trial date starting over the jury selection process was set for next Monday.....SNIP
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
What a misfit show.
She obviously did it on purpose, wasting tax payers and time and money. She needs to be disbarred at a minimum and banned from the case.
I’ve never been to court for anything like this.
What happens after a Mistrial has been declared?
Does the defendant automatically go free, or is a new trial date set, at request of the prosecutor?
AND, she’s wearing the mask, outside, with no one around.
That’s says quite a bit
A new trial date is set and there is a new jury pool. The new date is next Monday.
Well planned to delay trial. Did the attorney, who knew perfectly well, get sentence for contemp?
She needs, at the very minimum, to be sanctioned by the State Bar. This is blatant and intentional misconduct and has cost the federal court time and money. She should probably also have her federal licensed yanked.
Black is bad for America
Thanks. At least I know that doesn’t mean these Antifa are suddenly off the hook. It’s not over!
I did not read anything about a contempt charge. I expect that the judge warned her not to wear clothing with any messaging or she will be charged with contempt.
Likely won’t stop election to a judge position.
Disbar MarQuetta Clayton!!!
You don’t suppose there are any lost, hungry sharks trapped in that little reflecting pool, do you?
Seven of the Antifa pled guilty and may testify for the prosecution in the trial of the others. I think their sentencing will factor in whether they cooperate or not.
New trial, I believe. But lawyer must be disbarred. And charged with obstruction of justice, contempt of court. Jail time of about 6 months.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.