Judge Gregory Carro conducted a sealed virtual hearing on June 3, 2026, in the New York state murder case against 28-year-old Luigi Mangione despite objections from media outlets seeking to challenge the court's sealing order [1]. The hearing was closed after New York state court administrators announced the sealing less than 24 hours before the session, leaving press organizations little time to respond or argue against it [1].
Mangione is charged with killing 50-year-old healthcare executive Brian Thompson in late 2024 in Manhattan [1, 2]. Aside from murder, he faces charges of criminal weapon possession and possession of forged instruments [2]. He has pled not guilty to all allegations [2].
The defense requested the hearing be sealed, but the court did not publicly explain the reasons for restricting access, despite repeated media inquiries [2]. Judge Carro refused to allow press representatives to voice their objections to the sealing before proceeding with the hearing [1]. Carro stated, "Just so the record is clear, we did have a virtual proceeding in the people versus Luigi Mangione case. Defendant was present. His attorneys were present. The people were present." [1]
Evidence admitted in the state case includes a firearm, a 3D-printed silencer, and a notebook containing incriminating notes. However, other evidence such as a phone, passport, magazines, and a computer chip were suppressed by the court [2].
Mangione faces both state and federal trials, with the New York state murder trial scheduled to begin on September 8, 2026 [1, 2]. The defense has raised more than $1.5 million in legal fund donations ahead of the upcoming trials [2].
