Judge Gregory Carro of the New York state Supreme Court in Manhattan conducted a virtual conference in the Luigi Mangione murder case on Wednesday that was sealed from the press and public, a decision that several media organizations had formally objected to but were given no chance to contest.
The proceeding, which had been publicly scheduled at Mangione’s last court appearance, was suddenly sealed by New York state courts administrators at 1:18 p.m. on Tuesday — less than 24 hours before it was set to begin — after media outlets began asking logistical questions about access to the virtual hearing.
Attorneys for multiple news organizations and at least one reporter filed letters requesting an opportunity to address the sealing before the conference. Under New York law, judges may restrict access to court proceedings only for a specific legal reason, and court rulings require that the press and public be given a chance to be heard on closure motions.
Carro did not provide such a hearing. The virtual conference began at about 9:30 a.m., and Carro took the bench at about 10:30.
“Just so the record is clear, we did have a virtual proceeding in the people versus Luigi Mangione case,” Carro said. “Defendant was present. His attorneys were present. The people were present. At the request of the defense, that proceeding is sealed at the moment and we have adjourned the case to June 16 and it’s a physical appearance and you’re all invited to be here.”
Carro offered no explanation for why the proceeding was sealed. When several members of the press stood in the courtroom in the hope of addressing the court — a common practice when time-sensitive access issues arise — Carro had already moved on to the next case.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty in both the state case and a separate federal case related to the Dec. 4, 2024, killing of Thompson as he walked to a Manhattan hotel. The murder, which followed an intense manhunt, also prompted widespread public anger at the practices of the for-profit U.S. healthcare industry. His state trial is set for Sept. 8, and his federal prosecution also remains pending.