On Thursday, August 29, 2024, The Oklahoman reported that Brian Lovell, an associate district judge in Garfield County, Oklahoma has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia according to his attorneys. Frontotemporal dementia is a rare brain disorder that causes personality changes and unusual behavior.

Judge Lovell, 59, is facing criminal charges related to two alleged drive-by shootings that occurred in February 2023 in Oklahoma and September 2023 in Texas. He is charged with eight felony counts of deadly conduct and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving related to a shooting incident in Austin, Texas, where he is accused of firing a gun from his SUV at eight parked vehicles. He is also charged with using a vehicle to facilitate the discharge of a firearm related to an incident where he allegedly shot up his brother-in-law’s home in Garfield County, Oklahoma.

Judge Lovell was arrested in Austin, Texas in September 2023 after he rear-ended another vehicle. Police found a gun matching the one used in the nearby shooting inside his SUV. According to affidavits, Lovell told police he didn’t know why he would shoot his gun and couldn’t recall the shooting. He admitted rear-ending the other vehicle but denied it was intentional.

Judge Lovell’s attorneys are now seeking a medical retirement for him based on his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. In a legal filing, his attorneys reported that a psychiatrist had diagnosed Lovell with the disorder which causes progressive loss of memory, irrational behavior, bizarre out-of-character actions, sudden inappropriate impulses, and other concerning symptoms.

Frontotemporal dementia typically affects people aged 45-64 and is always fatal, though survival times can vary greatly. It damages the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain which control personality, decision making, behavior, and language abilities. Symptoms depend on which areas of the brain are impacted. Sufferers may develop socially inappropriate behaviors, poor impulse control, emotional indifference or language difficulties as the disease progresses. There is no cure or way to prevent frontotemporal dementia at this time.

In addition to the criminal charges, Judge Lovell faces an ouster trial in December related to alleged misconduct at the Garfield County courthouse where he presided. He is accused of having affairs with two female bailiffs, including sexual encounters at the courthouse. Both bailiffs resigned due to the affairs.

Judge Lovell became a special judge in Garfield County in 2011 and was elected as an associate district judge in 2023. However, he has not presided over any cases since his arrest. The Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary will determine if Lovell should be removed from the bench due to his alleged actions. His attorneys hope sharing his diagnosis may increase awareness of frontotemporal dementia.

 

 

Source: The Oklahoman