Allegedly Drunk Defense Attorney Prompts Mistrial In OKC Murder Case

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

(Oklahoma City) -- A mistrial is declared in an Oklahoma County murder trial after allegations surface that one of the defense attorneys showed up drunk to court.

Ervin Coleman and Marcus Johnson were on trial for the 2010 murder of an 18-year-old man.

Past reports show the incident began with a shooting at an apartment complex. Omar Galaviz, 18, was injured during the shooting. Joel Ortiz, 19, was shot and died at OU Medical Center.

Investigators believe the victims and another person who wasn't injured were in a sport utility vehicle in the parking lot of a northwest-side apartment complex when a truck pulled up behind them, blocking them in.

Officers said one of the suspects got out of the truck and fired a gun into the victims' vehicle, hitting Ortiz and Galaviz.

The DA's office confirms a mistrial was declared in the case after an attorney in the court room claimed to smell alcohol on another attorney's breath and that the defendant then asked to have another attorney appointed for him.

An investigation was launched and the judge declared a mistrial.

The attorney in question denies the allegations.