Court halted after 'outburst' from Alvarez in migrant crash trial

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Emotions were running high this morning in day three of the George Alvarez trial, the man who allegedly struck 18 people at a bus stop in Brownsville.

Alvarez allegedly drove into a crowd of people on May 7, 2023 in front of the Ozanam Center. Eight migrants were killed as a result of the crash and 10 others were injured.

This morning, a forensic toxicologist took the stand as an expert witness in the case. A large part of this case weighs on weather or not Alvarez was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

In day two of the trial his defense argued that Alvarez was not under the influence of any alcohol. However, cocaine was found in his system. The defense argues the bloodwork that indicated a presence of cocaine was ingested multiple days before the crash and was still in Alvarez's system.

^{George Alvarez and his attorneys during day two of the trial.}

Just before 10 a.m., court was halted after Alvarez began yelling at his own attorneys out of turn. Alvarez expressed frustration toward his representation. Cesar De Leon is serving as Alvarez's attorney in this case is.

After what the judge is referring to as an "outburst" from Alvarez, the state asked that he be removed from court.

The judge has decided to give Alvarez one last chance, as this is not the first time he has spoken out of turn during the trial.