Judge Rebukes Both Sides in Mangione Case Over Suggestions of Impropriety, Court Collusion

New York Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro, overseeing the murder case against Luigi Mangione, castigated the defense on Tuesday over accusations it made against the integrity of the court’s handling of media access for the upcoming trial. Judge Carro also scolded prosecutors for assuming the court will not be able to control spectators — and potential fans of the defendant — in an overflow room provided to those wishing to attend the high-profile case. Mr. Mangione appeared in court for Tuesday’s final pretrial hearing before jury selection for the murder trial begins on September 8. He wore a gray suit and a pink button-down shirt, sporting a fresh haircut and a clean shaven face. The 28-year-old faces separate federal and state trials at New York for the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brain Thompson in December 2024. The federal government has charged Mangione with interstate stalking resulting in death, while the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, whose prosecution will proceed first, has brought charges of second-degree murder and weapons offenses. Both indictments carry maximum penalties of life in prison. Mr. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all counts.On Tuesday, the judge addressed defense allegations that prosecutors colluded with the Office of Court Administration in a “secret process” to restrict courtroom seating to a capped list of 68 reporters and deny an overflow room for additional spectators. (An overflow room is a secondary room where members of the press and public can watch or listen to the proceedings after the main courtroom fills up.) “There has never been a discussion to exclude or limit the press from these proceedings,” Justice Carro said firmly, appearing annoyed by the accusation, and adding that an overflow room would indeed be provided. The court, he stated, is committed to “expanding access, not to limiting it.” When defense attorney Marc Agnifilo pointed out that an overflow room was omitted from a preliminary media access plan published on July 16, the judge explained that logistical hurdles regarding courthouse physical space and staffing had taken time to resolve.“However we got there, I am glad we got there,” Mr. Agnifilo said. “I’m thankful that we have one.”Judge Carro also called the defense’s claims that prosecutors colluded with the court to curate a list of credentialed journalists a “reckless mischaracterization of the ethics undertaken by this court to ensure transparency and public access.” “At no time did the district attorney’s office participate in those discussions nor did it play any role in determining media or public access,” the judge said. “Any suggestion that the district attorney is involved is simply incorrect.” The Office of Court Administration handles the media access at the courthouse, and compiled a list of credentialed journalists with reserved courtroom seats in high-profile cases during the hush-money trial against President Trump 2024 in order to manage the exorbitant media demand to attend the proceedings. While the judge did not address the defense’s request to view the full roster of journalists granted the reserved seating, he noted that the number of accredited reporters had increased from 68 to 86. The Office of Court Administration declined to comment, pointing to a previous statement indicating that the media plan was still being finalized.The judge also rebuked prosecutors for a Monday filing that warned spectators in an overflow room might misbehave or illicitly record the trial. He reminded lead prosecutor Joel Seidemann that this was not his “first rodeo” in high-profile cases, noting that any member of the public or press caught with an active phone would be immediately escorted out.Following the accessibility discussions, the judge spent the remainder of the morning in a bench conference with the defense and prosecution that was inaudible to the gallery. After filing two furious letters that prosecutors had tried to limit media access, the defense attorneys offered no insight to the media into the contents of whispered communications with the bench. Before adjourning the hearing, however, Judge Carro summarized the private back-and-forth as a continued discussion about jury selection procedures as well as outstanding motions yet to be filed and decided. The jury, the judge said, will be anonymous, meaning none of the names of the jurors will be revealed to the public. Juries often remain anonymous in high-profile cases to protect the jurors from harassment or intimidation.

Judge Rebukes Both Sides in Mangione Case Over Suggestions of Impropriety, Court Collusion

Judge Rebukes Both Sides in Mangione Case Over Suggestions of Impropriety, Court Collusion

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