Oklahoma Judge charged in drive-by shooting

ENID, Okla. ( KFOR ) — An Oklahoma Judge was arraigned Friday Morning on charges related to a February 2023 drive-by shooting.

A multi-county grand jury indicted Garfield County Associate District Judge Brian Lovell on two felony counts after he allegedly shot up his own brother-in-law’s house.

News 4 talked with Kenneth Markes back in October and he said his son saw an unfamiliar car moments before bullets began flying.

“I had no idea that it could’ve been Brian Lovell,” said Markes. “Seeing a person in a window, and missing by a matter of inches, is not just a random shooting.”

Lovell’s Attorney Stephen Jones, who also represented Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh said they plan to fight this case vigorously.

“We intend to attack the jurisdiction and soundness of the indictment,” said Jones.

Investigators said the judge was also involved in a road rage shooting in Austin, Texas and casings from that incident matched the ones used in the drive-by shooting.

“He was elected judge without opposition. He was special judge about ten years before that and in my view, he’s innocent,” said Jones.

Jones wouldn’t comment on the case in Texas, but is standing by his client on the charges in Oklahoma.

“It was a long time before the indictment was returned and that bears on him and his family. But he’s a strong character,” said Jones. “And in my view, he’s innocent.”

Lovell is expected back in court on August 30th, at 9:00am.

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