Should "Judge Thug" Keeps his Robe?

What's next? Will our Judicial Officials be Crip Walking to the bench?

It’s judges like this that make Judgewatch.net necessary!

Check out Lovell’s Judgewatch profile ...

The Austin Shooting…

In September of 2023, Enid Judge, Brian Lovell made national headlines [New York Post] when he was accused of shooting at motorists and intentionally causing a motor vehicle accident in Austin, Texas. Three .40-caliber shell casings were recovered at the scene. “Lovell advised he did not know why he would have shot his gun and he could not recall any part of the shooting incident,” the probable cause affidavit stated. “Lovell stated there is a Glock 23 .40-caliber firearm and a Smith & Wesson M&P .380 firearm in the vehicle as well.”

He was arrested and charged with Reckless Driving and Deadly Conduct Discharge of a Firearm. Lovell allegedly fired shots at five cars at the intersection of Matamoros and Santa Maria streets in Austin during the meltdown, according to an arrest affidavit, KFOR reported. Travis County District Court set bond at $10,000.

Conditions of Lovell’s Bond, include: No Contact with the victim, a mental health evaluation to be completed within 7 days of release, and random UA’s [drug testing].

He was scheduled to appear in the Texas Court on October 4, 2023. However, that hearing shows cancelled on the online dockets. Interestingly, the docket also shows an “indigence form” has been filed. It is unknown to us if this is standard in Texas, but in Oklahoma, the equivalent is only filed if the defendant is applying for a Public Defender to represent him due to an inability to afford private counsel. Is an Oklahoma Judge seriously claiming to be too poor to afford an attorney? [These documents are also not available to public view online]. And no sign of any filings showing compliance with the ordered mental health evaluation or drug testing ordered as bond conditions, however, on October 5th, 2023, the State of Texas filed a motion to add bond conditions.

Drive-by Shootings Not Just for Gangs Anymore…

Shortly after news broke of Lovell’s Austin shooting incident, it was reported by KFOR, that he was also under investigation by OSBI for a drive by shooting of a home in February of 2023. The victim, Judge Lovell’s brother-in-law, [estranged from Lovell for nearly a decade] reported the bullets hit a wall, window, and oven, barely missing his son. The Garvin County offense report shows five .40 caliber shell casings were found at the scene. Two days after the shooting, on February 14, Lovell reported his .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol stolen from his truck at the Garfield County Courthouse. Ironically, the same caliber was used in the Austin incident months later.

Garfield County has an Issue…

Lovell, a Waukomis native, was appointed special district judge in 2011 and elected associate district judge in January 2023. District Judge Paul Woodward said Lovell was not suspended but “there is a mutual agreement” he would not act as an associate district judge in Enid for an indefinite time while the Texas situation is being handled.

How many cases have been adversely affected? Has this judge been presiding over cases while suffering from an undiagnosed mental health condition? Or does he just believe he is above the law?

Where is the Council on Judicial Complaints?

The Council on Judicial Complaints is the authority vested with investigating complaints on Oklahoma Judges, and referring to the Court on the Judiciary for disciplinary proceedings. Does District Judge Paul Woodward have a duty to the people of Oklahoma to file a complaint with the Council on Lovell? Has one been filed? Should Judge Woodward have suspended his Associate Judge pending the outcomes of these criminal proceedings? Or is this just another case of officials “investigating” themselves, subverting actual accountability?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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