An Oklahoma judge charged in drive-by shootings in two states faces removal from office over allegations he gave preferential treatment to certain lawyers and sexual misconduct with court staff.
Garfield County Deputy District Judge Brian Lovell, 58, is accused of shooting into six parked cars at an intersection outside Juan in a Million, a locally known Austin Tex-Mex restaurant, in Travis County, Texas, last September. The Enid News & Eagle reported:.
He fled the scene and then crashed his SUV into the woman’s car twice, at one point nearly pushing her into oncoming traffic, telling responding police, “She was driving a car that was in a rage.” [him] It gets “off” in traffic jams.
In February 2023, Lovell is accused of firing several shots with the same .40-caliber Glock handgun into his brother-in-law’s Oklahoma home, according to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
The judge reported his gun stolen two days later, but it appears he kept it. Bullets found at the Texas shooting scene matched ones found at the home of Lovell’s brother. He was indicted in the case in May.
Oklahoma schools to be required to teach Bible, Ten Commandments: Superintendent
Judge Brian Lovell, 58, is facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving in the Texas incident and could face felony charges in Oklahoma for using a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a firearm and discharging a firearm into a dwelling. (Travis County Sheriff’s Office)
Both cases remain open. But in an effort to avoid jeopardizing those investigations, the Oklahoma State Judicial Complaints Council filed a petition for dismissal on June 27, arguing that its intention to temporarily suspend Lovell has nothing to do with those “alleged criminal conduct.”
Rather, the petition focuses on allegations of gross dereliction of duty, corruption and abuse of position by the judges.
Lovell said, “Involvement[d] He discussed the case one-on-one with the lawyers without the other involved lawyers being present.
The petition also accuses the defendants of “making derogatory remarks about attorneys who appeared in court, publicly demonstrating bias against certain attorneys, and setting bail amounts in criminal charges based on bias against defendants’ attorneys or defendants.”
According to the petition, Lovell, who is married, also had sex with two bailiffs. He allegedly “exchanged sexually explicit messages and images with the court staff inside the courthouse during court business hours” and “had sexual intercourse with the court staff inside the courthouse during court business hours.”
Lovell did not disclose a sexual relationship with a female bailiff when he was hired in 2011. The two allegedly continued their relationship afterward, including “having sex during court hours at the Garfield County Courthouse.”
Death row inmate served Little Caesars pizza as final meal before execution for murder of former stepdaughter
The petition to suspend Judge Brian Lovell does not allege any criminal charges against him, but argues that his conduct in court “undermines public confidence in the judiciary.” (Garfield County Courthouse)
The relationship lasted from February to October of that year, when the bailiff disclosed the affair to the other judges and resigned. In a vote, the five district judges decided to allow Lovell to remain on the bench.
Another female bailiff was hired that year, in 2023. Lovell and the bailiff allegedly engaged in sexual acts on multiple occasions inside the courthouse, exchanged explicit text messages and took intimate photos of each other.
According to the plea agreement, Lovell claimed his relationship with the second bailiff consisted of nothing more than “flirtatious text messages,” but the bailiff told investigators the two engaged in sexual activity.
The petition alleges that the judge gave preferential treatment to one lawyer and his client by praising the lawyer’s decisions in court and by making favorable deals in secret text messages.
In one case, the judge reportedly described an attorney’s decision not to cross-examine a witness as “excellent.” In another, the judge reportedly praised an attorney’s cross-examination as “very thorough.” In yet another, the judge told the attorneys their performance in court was “excellent.” But no adjectives were used to praise other attorneys, according to courtroom transcripts reviewed by the committee.
At one point, Lovell allegedly granted bail in his client’s favor while disparaging his client, explaining that it was because of his choice of lawyer to represent him in court.
Oklahoma Supreme Court rules Catholic charter school funding unconstitutional
Brian Lovell is accused of having sex with two bailiffs at the Garfield County Courthouse during working hours, as seen in the photo. (Google Maps)
In another instance, Lovell allegedly obtained a protective order against a third-party company (a funeral home) represented by his favorite lawyer, even though he had no authority to do so.
When he learned that the Council was investigating his actions, Lovell allegedly “sealed” himself off.[ed] “Unreasonable court records” and “attempts[ed] To persuade an attorney to give false testimony to the Judicial Complaints Board.”
“[Lovell] “He has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of respect for the judicial office entrusted to him and has engaged in misconduct and dishonesty,” the council wrote.
“This act, [Lovell’s] “He lacks the qualifications to be a judge and undermines public confidence in the independence, integrity, impartiality and competence of the judiciary,” the petition continues.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Lovell has until July 8 to challenge the temporary suspension order, and a hearing on his motion to dismiss is scheduled for July 30.
Steven Jones, an attorney representing Lovell, told the Enid News & Eagle that his client was “ambitious” by the Oklahoma Judicial Grievance Council.
“Despite Judge Lovell having legal counsel and prepared to defend against the charges, he was never notified of the matter or required to respond. We have repeatedly sought notice of the charges but have repeatedly been denied,” Jones told the outlet.
Fox News Digital was unable to reach Lovell, the bailiff listed in the petition or the lawyer to whom he allegedly gave preferential treatment.
