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5h ago

Judge Says DOJ Likely Violated Trial-Publicity Rule in Mangione Case

Prosecutors must file a sworn explanation by Oct. 3 under a warning that future breaches could draw sanctions affecting the death‑penalty bid.

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Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Supreme Court for a hearing in the murder case filed against him for killing UHC Brian Thompson, Sept. 16, 2025. (Curtis Means / Pool)
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Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appears at Manhattan Supreme Court in New York City, U.S., September 16, 2025. Steven Hirsch/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett found that multiple Justice Department employees likely ran afoul of SDNY Local Criminal Rule 23.1 by making or amplifying prejudicial statements about Luigi Mangione.
  • The order cites a since‑deleted X post by DOJ spokesman Chad Gilmartin endorsing President Trump’s Fox News claim about Mangione’s guilt, which was then reposted by senior DOJ aide Brian Nieves.
  • Garnett directed prosecutors to advise Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to disseminate a department‑wide warning that further violations could lead to fines, contempt findings, or relief specific to the prosecution.
  • The judge said the conduct also appears to breach her April order that reiterated the rule and required DOJ leadership, up to Attorney General Pam Bondi, to be made aware they are bound by it.
  • Defense lawyers have asked the court to bar capital punishment, pointing to DOJ and White House rhetoric including the press secretary’s reference to a “left‑wing assassin,” as Mangione maintains his not‑guilty plea in parallel federal and state cases.