Murder trial interrupted when two women fight in courthouse bathroom
Maurice Berry's murder trial was interrupted Thursday when two women loudly fought in a nearby bathroom.
Berry, 22, of Hammond, is on trial in Lake Superior Court in Crown Point this week for killing a bystander, Javier 'Campa' Olvera, 49, at an East Chicago gas station and wounding Maurice Garrett — the intended target who had dated Berry's longtime on-and-off girlfriend after they broke up.
As Det. James Nielsen was wrapping his testimony, a screaming match erupted outside the courtroom.
The two women also had children with Berry. One was there to testify for both the prosecution and defense. A man, who said he was her brother, was trying to calm her down for several minutes.
The other, who was pregnant, at one point appeared to yell she would fight and 'shoot' the other woman.
Later, she apologized.
Both women were arrested. They said the other attacked them. Police couldn't see from a video who started the brief fight in the bathroom.
Both are expected to be charged with battery.
Afterward, Judge Natalie Bokota rejected defense lawyer Susan Severtson's bid for a mistrial.
East Chicago Police responded around 8 p.m. March 30, 2024, to a BP gas station, 4502 Indianapolis Blvd. Olvera was lying on the ground, shot multiple times.
Surveillance video showed Berry pull up in a black Chevy Trailblazer, then go inside holding a concealed object in his hand.
Olvera was already in line. The other man — who was later wounded — walked inside and 'looked at Berry.' On camera, the man and Berry appeared to exchange words.
Berry shot at the man. Olvera dropped to the floor 'immediately.'
mcolias@post-trib.com
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