The judge overseeing Luigi Mangione’s New York state murder proceeding slammed his federal colleague for trying to beat him to trial in a criminal case that has left this country rapt.
Mangione is charged with the murder of the United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot dead on a midtown Manhattan street on 4 December 2024; he faces trial in both state and federal court.
The public killing triggered an expansive manhunt that ended in Mangione’s arrest, but also fanned the flames of public outcry over the US health insurance industry’s profit-driven practices.
“It appears that the federal government has reneged on its agreement to allow the state that did most of the work in this case to go first,” Judge Gregory Carro said, his voice strained with annoyance.
“The judge set a September date,” Carro said, alluding to the Manhattan federal court judge Margaret Garnett’s recent decision to schedule jury selection for 8 September.
“This case got simpler … it should be shorter,” Carro said. “It’s no longer a terrorism case … things changed in federal court, as it’s no longer a death-penalty case.
“It’s not that complex.
“So with that in mind, I’m going to set an earlier date than the federal government of 8 June for trial,” Carro said. “If the federal government appeals Judge Garnett’s ruling, then we will start on 8 September.”
“Your honor, Mr Mangione is being put in an untenable situation,” his attorney, Karen Agnifilo, told Carro. “This is a tug of war between two different prosecutors' offices.”
She said the defense “will not be ready” on 8 June.
“Be ready,” an increasingly irked Carro warned.
Mangione, who wore khaki jail scrubs to court, blurted out “one plus one equals two, double jeopardy by any commonsense judgment” after the proceeding ended.
The proceeding saw less attendance than prior events. Mangione’s devotees filled about three benches in the gallery; fewer of this contingent donned green garments than at past appearances.
One woman wore a black hoodie that read “LUIGI MANGIONE WAS NOT IN THE EPSTEIN FILES.” Another Mangione supporter – who somehow managed to obtain a city-issued press credential – sported a pin adorned with the accused’s face in the style of a Byzantine icon painting.
Before Carro unloaded, he called lawyers to the bench and held a discussion there so that the gallery couldn’t hear, but did not provide a reason for doing this rather than openly.
Although the full exchange was inaudible, snippets and tones revealed this discussion was heated, with Carro growing increasingly frustrated.
Mangione’s appearance in New York state court came one week after a judge took the death penalty off the table in his federal case.
Garnett dismissed counts three and four against Mangione. These counts included murder through use of a firearm, a charge carrying a potential death sentence, as well as a weapons charge.
Jury selection in Mangione’s federal trial is scheduled for 8 September, with openings set for 13 October.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty in both cases.
