‘Reckless’: Luigi Mangione judge chides defense over public access ahead of murder trial

Mangione, accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024, was back in court Tuesday for the final pretrial conference before his trial starts in September.MANHATTAN (CN) — A New York judge on Tuesday railed against the attorneys in Luigi Mangione’s murder case amid a slew of recent filings related to public access to the proceedings.Mangione’s defense team filed a letter in late July that raised questions over whether the Manhattan district attorney was working with the court to “hand-pick the reporters permitted” to attend the case’s proceedings — a suggestion New York Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro on Tuesday called a “reflect a reckless mischaracterization of the efforts undertaken by this court to ensure transparency and public access.”Carro said the court has instead been focused on expanding access and has secured an overflow room for the upcoming trial, ensuring that spectators can follow the case even if the main courtroom is full.“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,” Carro said sternly from the bench. “Any suggestion [otherwise] … is simply incorrect.”The defense’s concerns stemmed from a media-organized list of outlets approved to cover high-profile trials in New York City. The list is not exhaustive; those included enter the courtroom first, while other members of the press follow behind.Tuesday was the final conference in the case until the trial starts on Sept. 8. Mangione was whisked into the courtroom by court officers just before 10 a.m. Tuesday, sporting a gray suit and cuffs on his wrists. The next time he’ll be back in court, it will be to select the jurors responsible for deciding his fate.At the conference, Carro appeared irked at the recent flurry of filings between parties over access.“I don’t want to hear any more about this,” Carro said after chiding the defense.Mangione’s side had stressed the importance of an overflow room and even sought to have the trial streamed live — New York has a longstanding ban on video broadcasting trials. Meanwhile, prosecutors filed a letter on Monday night claiming to take “no position” on an overflow room but warning the court it could be difficult to enforce courtroom rules in one.“We are particularly concerned about the possibility that a spectator in an overflow courtroom will clandestinely record the proceedings and share any such recordings with others,” prosecutors wrote in the three-page letter.Carro told the district attorney’s office on Tuesday it need not worry; this is not his “first rodeo” with a high-profile case, he said.“We have that all under control,” he told prosecutors, assuring them that phones will be banned in the overflow room. As he said that, a spectator’s cell phone rang loudly in the gallery.Access to Mangione’s proceedings has been an issue that has recently reached a boiling point. Controversy ensued earlier this summer when it was revealed that several of Mangione’s supporters had secured press passes from the city, nabbing them more favorable seats in the courthouse ahead of other credentialed members of the media.Outside of the courthouse, Mangione’s attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters he was pleased Carro had secured an overflow room.“I think it actually changed the complexion of the coverage of the trial,” he said. “I think there should be two overflow rooms, but I’ll take one.”Carro clarified to Agnifilo that his decision had “nothing to do” with the defense’s objections — he was considering an overflow room either way, he said.Mangione, 28, is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. He faces a dueling prosecution in federal court for the incident, and is expected to be tried there in early 2027.The swell of public support for Mangione has complicated his prosecutions. Amid the public access debate, the Manhattan district attorney’s office has voiced concerns over the safety of witnesses and jurors alike.Carro announced Tuesday that Mangione’s jurors will be anonymous, a common step taken in high-profile cases with immense media coverage.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads