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Luigi Mangione’s state trial has been postponed from June to September, shortly after his federal trial was delayed from September to October.
On Wednesday, Judge Gregory Carro, presiding over the state case, set the new trial date for September 8 without providing a specific reason for the postponement, though the defense had requested the delay.
Earlier that day, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett announced that the federal trial, previously scheduled for September, will now begin jury selection on October 5, with evidence presentation starting October 26.
“Whether we like it or not, we are somewhat at the mercy of events in the state case,” Judge Garnett said, referencing the original June 8 date for the state trial. “What is happening at 100 Centre [the state courthouse] inevitably affects how we structure things here so the defendant can get a fair trial.”
While Garnett emphasized she does not want to be “held hostage” by the state proceedings, she acknowledged concerns about the practicality of jury questionnaires being filled out amidst the publicity of the state trial.
“There’s really no way around taking into account the events in the state case involving the same defendant,” she said.
It remains uncertain if the state trial’s new September start will require further adjustments to the federal trial schedule.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges linked to the December 2024 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan. Conviction in either case could result in life imprisonment. Notably, federal death penalty charges were dismissed by Judge Garnett, and a terrorism enhancement to the state murder charges was rejected by Judge Carro earlier in the proceedings.