A federal prosecutor urged swift proceedings in Luigi Mangione’s federal case, telling a Manhattan judge that the crowds of supporters gathering outside court underscored the need to move to trial.
This came as the court delayed jury selection by about a month, to October 5, in coordination with Mangione’s state murder trial schedule, according to multiple reports from a hearing Wednesday, per Reuters.
Prosecutors argued public interest and the visible backing for Mangione—who pleaded not guilty in both federal and state cases tied to the December 2024 deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—supported keeping the federal case on track, while the judge adjusted timelines to avoid conflicts with the upcoming state trial and the processing of hundreds of juror questionnaires.
The Context
The hearing highlighted tension between a defendant’s preparation needs across parallel prosecutions and the government’s contention that delay risks witness availability and public confidence in a timely resolution. The judge’s schedule change aligned the federal case with the state trial to protect jury selection integrity while keeping the matter moving, a balance courts often seek in high-profile prosecutions, according to detailed accounts from the hearing.
Public demonstrations for Mangione—described as small groups that regularly appear outside court—added urgency for prosecutors, who cited the crowds as evidence of heightened public attention and a reason for a prompt federal trial, according to reporting from the proceedings.
What To Know
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett moved the start of federal jury selection from September 8 to October 5, with opening statements slated for October 26 or November 2, after declining a defense request to push the federal trial into 2027, according to multiple outlets.
Garnett tied the new dates to Mangione’s New York state murder trial, set to begin June 8, citing concerns that distributing federal juror questionnaires during the state proceedings could compromise their usefulness, the outlets reported.
Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal stalking charges that carry a potential life sentence and to state charges, including second-degree murder, which could result in 25 years to life if convicted, according to court filings cited by the Associated Press (AP).
In January, Garnett dismissed federal counts that had allowed prosecutors to seek capital punishment, leaving stalking charges in place, according to prior rulings.
Defense lawyers argued back-to-back trials and reviewing approximately 800 federal juror questionnaires during the state trial would impair Mangione’s ability to participate in his defense, while prosecutors warned further postponement would hinder the government and public’s interest in a speedy trial, AP reported.
Concern Over Gatherings
Small groups of Mangione supporters have regularly gathered at his court appearances. On Wednesday, Reuters reporters observed roughly a dozen people outside the lower Manhattan courthouse, while The Guardian reported about two dozen inside and outside the proceedings.
Images from several appearances have shown supporters outside, carrying signs calling for Mangione’s amnesty.
What People Are Saying
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Gentile at the hearing, citing the presence of supporters outside court, as reported by AP: “Your honor need only look out the window to see the people who follow this defendant and believe that what he did was right.”
Garnett, while explaining the monthlong shift to avoid conflicts with the June state trial, per the AP: “I am skeptical of moving the (federal) trial wholesale into 2027 when the state trial has not been adjourned. It is a little bit of a tail wagging the dog.”
What Happens Next
Jury selection in the state murder case was scheduled to begin June 8 in Manhattan, with proceedings expected to last four to six weeks, and the federal case’s jury selection was set to begin October 5, with opening statements on October 26 or November 2, subject to change if the state schedule shifts.
Mangione is due back in federal court on June 5 for a status conference, according to coverage of Wednesday’s hearing.
The Associated Press contributed information for this article.
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