Detailed summary of each day of Mangione pretrial hearing

 Christine Savino | Cornell Law School provides a detailed summary of Luigi Mangione's pretrial hearing on JURISTnews:

Editor’s note: This is Day 9 (final day) of JURIST’s coverage of Luigi Mangione’s suppression hearings. Read Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Days 5-7, Day 8.

Luigi Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson, CEO of medical insurance company UnitedHealthcare, on December 4, 2024, outside a Manhattan hotel in New York state. He faces a nine-count indictment including second-degree murder, where he faces 25 years to life in prison, and multiple weapons offenses. Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pennsylvania—a city approximately 280 miles from New York City—five days after the shooting. While the arrest occurred in Pennsylvania, he is being prosecuted in New York state, where the alleged crime took place. The suppression hearings—pre-trial proceedings where a judge decides what evidence can be used at trial—determined what evidence from his Pennsylvania arrest can be used in the New York trial. Mangione pleaded not guilty to all charges in late December 2024.

The prosecution and defense completed their presentations on December 18, concluding three weeks of suppression hearings in the New York state case against Mangione. The prosecution called 17 witnesses from Mangione’s December 9 arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The defense called no witnesses. No trial date was set.

Judge Gregory Carro announced the litigation calendar: defense filings are due by January 29, prosecution’s response by March 5, and Judge Carro’s ruling on May 18. Mangione’s next New York state hearing was scheduled for May 18, at which time Judge Carro may set a trial date. The approximately five-month timeline to issue suppression decisions is longer than expected, as were the suppression hearings themselves. The defense faces an uphill battle, as most motions to suppress are denied.

Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann pushed for a trial date, stating that Brian Thompson’s mother is 77 years old, and it “is important to the family of the victim to be able to know…whether or not this is the person who shot their son.” Upon Assistant District Attorney Seidemann’s request, there was a sidebar regarding scheduling. Defense counsel briefly conferred with Mangione, after which Attorney Marc Agnifilo told Judge Carro, “we spoke with our client, and he is willing to let us have proceedings, on the record, without you being present.” Mangione waived his right to be present during the private scheduling discussion, as defendants are not permitted to participate in these conversations.

Mangione appeared tense during the private discussion, unlike the first day of hearings when he smiled often.

Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo challenged whether the prosecution had fully complied with discovery obligations—the requirement that both sides share evidence with each other. She cited a December 17, 2024 press briefing where New York Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described a conversation with Mangione’s mother, Kathleen Mangione:

She didn’t indicate that it was her son in the photograph, but she said it might be something that she could see him doing. So that information was going to be passed along to the detectives the next morning, but fortunately we apprehended him before we could act on that.

This statement was widely published by major news outlets including Fox News, People, and CBS News. The defense described the statement as an “unfounded claim” that was “widely quoted by numerous news outlets” in a November filing.

Attorney Friedman Agnifilo then referenced discovery documents that contradicted Chief Kenny’s public statement. The documents said: “Kathleen [Mangione] stated that Luigi has not made any suicidal statements and was not a risk to himself or others.” She argued Chief Kenny’s statement was “the opposite of what was said, and we didn’t get the opportunity to cross-examine Officer Diaz regarding this,” referring to NYPD Detective Oscar Diaz, a Manhattan South Homicide Squad detective. She requested that the prosecution “retract that statement, because that was never said by Mr. Mangione’s mother.”

Attorney Friedman Agnifilo argued that the defense was not granted a Dunaway hearing—a New York-specific suppression hearing used to determine whether a defendant’s statements or evidence were obtained as the result of an unlawful seizure or detention, in violation of the Fourth Amendment and New York State Constitution. She stated the defense intended to cross-examine NYPD Detective Oscar Diaz on whether the statement was part of probable cause.

Assistant District Attorney Seidemann countered that the statement was made a year ago and not relevant to Mapp or Huntley hearings—pre-trial suppression hearings under New York law that determine whether evidence was obtained legally.

Judge Carro appeared to side with the prosecution, stating, “most of the video was relevant to the hearing, and the People did say that they would make any Altoona or NYPD officers available if you want to call them.”

In a press conference outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse, Attorney Friedman Agnifilo, surrounded by the defense team, stated that the hearings “unnecessarily” extended into three weeks when “we were told this was going to be several days.” She stated that “it was only after Lieutenant Leonardi testified about the illegal wiretap of Mr. Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, that they withdrew statement notice, and now suddenly we’re not going to have the lead case detective in this case.”

“We want the New York Police Department or the San Francisco Police Department or the Manhattan District Attorney to correct this very prejudicial statement that was never said,” Attorney Friedman Agnifilo stated before ending the press conference.

If the prosecution cannot provide evidence of the statement, they will not be able to present it at trial. However, this would likely not affect probable cause, which was the focus of the suppression hearings.

One point of contention during the hearings was whether New York or Pennsylvania law applied. Mangione was placed into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania for forgery and related Pennsylvania charges, although New York officers quickly arrived, believing Altoona authorities may have apprehended the shooting suspect. Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks stated:

There appears to be confusion with the media because New York law is different than Pennsylvania law. My office has argued in filed public documents and continues to assert that Altoona police officers lawfully arrested Mr. Mangione for crimes he allegedly committed in Pennsylvania in the presence of the officers…Because of his arrest, he and his property were then subject to a legal warrantless search incident to arrest allowed under Pennsylvania law and his property was then subject to an additional lawful inventory search as well.

Throughout three weeks of proceedings, Mangione frequently exhibited animated facial expressions, particularly furrowing his eyebrows when seemingly confused or frustrated. His relationship with the press appeared strained—he previously yelled at reporters for being “out of touch” with the “American people.” During testimony from SCI Huntingdon Corrections Officer Thomas Rivers—who stated that Mangione asked him about media perception—Mangione briefly put his head in his hand before returning to his usual demeanor.

The defense argued that suppression exhibits should be sealed from the media until trial. Judge Carro partially denied the motion, reasoning that “since this is a suppression hearing, and the court has not ruled whether this evidence will be admitted at any trial, sealing would prevent substantial possibility that the defendant’s right to a fair trial would be harmed.”

Mangione’s next hearing is scheduled for January 9, 2025, where he will appear before Judge Arun Subramanian at 40 Foley Square in New York for his federal case, United States v. Mangione. The defense has moved to challenge the constitutionality of Mangione’s death penalty. Like in his New York state case, the defense has also moved to suppress evidence due to the warrantless search and statements under Miranda. Additionally, the defense has moved to dismiss Counts 3 (murder through the use of a firearm) and Count 4 (firearms offense), which are based on the same facts and evidence as the New York state indictment.

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Indiana spent $1.175 million on four doses of execution drugs, two doses expired

Indiana spent more than $1 million in taxpayer funds to purchase four doses of execution drugs — some which were used, and several others that expired, reported the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Gov. Mike Braun clarified that the drugs were purchased in two transactions — one under former Gov. Eric Holcomb and one by him.

In total, $1.175 million was spent, Braun said. But two of those — worth $600,000 — expired with no use because “they had been on the shelf too long.”

Braun emphasized, however, that neither of the doses used by the Indiana Department of Correction in December and May were expired when administered to inmates.

Reporting by the Indiana Capital Chronicle previously revealed that at least $900,000 was spent by Holcomb’s administration to purchase pentobarbital. The execution drug was used in December to carry out the death penalty for convicted killer Joseph Corcoran, and again in May for the execution of Benjamin Ritchie.

“It was tricky, because if you acquired it, and there was some type of glitch, then you go into the same thing that happened with the Holcomb administration, which bought three (doses) — anticipating more (executions). But in course, two expired, so we were careful to make sure it looked like all the administrative parts (of the judicial process) were done,” Braun said, adding that his administration waited until “right before” Ritchie’s execution before buying any new doses of the drug.

“We knew that was going to be a fait accompli,” he continued. “I was careful, so that it looked like (the execution) was going to take place, and not have something occur. And that was a little tricky. But at that point, the Indiana Supreme Court and the parole board would have been all that was left to get through. Administratively, that looked like it had a pretty defined time frame. … It was a question of when you were going to actually get it and not be stranded with it.”

Braun denied Ritchie clemency less than a week before the execution.

Braun’s office confirmed that his predecessor paid $900,000 for three doses of the drug. Only one of those doses was used, however; the other two doses expired. Braun said earlier this month that the drug has a 90-shelf life.

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My blog mattmangino.com hits 10 million page views

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Here's a good idea: Let's get in the middle of a religious conflict in Nigeria

After the U.S. military launched airstrikes on sites in northwestern Nigeria on Thursday, President Trump said the targets were Islamic State terrorists “who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” reported The New York Times.

But analysts say that the situation on the ground is more complicated.

Sokoto State, which was hit by more than 16 Tomahawk missiles early Friday, is populated overwhelmingly by Muslims, who bear the brunt of terrorist attacks there, according to analysts and groups that monitor conflict. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto said recently that the area does “not have a problem with persecution” of Christians.

And analysts are divided over the existence of ties between insurgent groups in Sokoto and the Islamic State.

Some analysts say that the violent attackers in Sokoto, who are colloquially known as the Lakurawa, have links to the Islamic State’s Sahel Province branch, which is mostly farther north and west, in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

But other analysts say evidence of those links is inconclusive, as the identity of the Lakurawa group remains very murky. Its militants have operated in Sokoto and other Nigerian states for years, winning popularity by fighting local bandits at first and then turning on the rural population.

Even as the Nigerian authorities have disputed Mr. Trump’s claims about a Christian “genocide,” they have chosen to respond to his threats by cooperating with his administration. Nigeria has taken the opportunity to use U.S. firepower against insurgents that have plagued rural communities in the country’s northwest.

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Trump administration ignores the First Amendment this holiday season

The Trump administration celebrated Christmas on Thursday by posting a series of religious messages from official government accounts, using language that drew criticism from those who pointed to the country’s separation of church and state.

While many lawmakers in both parties posted universal messages of love, joy and peace on the holiday, a number of cabinet members and agencies made references to Jesus and the religious meaning of Christmas.

“Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote. “May His light bring peace, hope, and joy to you and your families.”

Posts by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Homeland Security Department and the Labor Department followed in a similar vein.

“The joyous message of Christmas is the hope of Eternal Life through Christ,” Mr. Rubio said.

“Let Earth Receive Her King,” the Labor Department said.

Apparently, the Trump administration is a “proponent” of only some of the First Amendment. The separation of church and state is a core US principle, rooted in the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, meaning the government can't establish a religion or favor one over others, ensuring neutrality and protecting religious freedom for all, including non-believers, through a metaphorical "wall of separation".

Government officials have traditionally steered clear of such overtly religious language, as the Constitution bans an official state religion. The First Amendment’s establishment clause prohibits the government from establishing a religion or favoring one religion over another, while the free exercise clause protects the religious expression of all faiths.

In response to a request for comment, a White House spokeswoman, Anna Kelly, issued a short statement, saying: “Who are the critics? You? And Merry Christmas!”

One of the most extensive Christmas messages was posted by the Homeland Security Department on Christmas Eve. It read, “We are blessed to share a nation and a Savior,” and included a video that featured images including the American flag, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, President Trump and a Nativity scene, along with the words “Remember the miracle of Christ’s birth.”

To read more CLICK HERE

 Merry Christmas!

CREATORS: A Wild and Weird Year of True Crime

Matthew T. Mangino
CREATORS
December 23, 2025

Mark Twain once remarked that "Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; truth isn't." This quip was no more evident than in courtrooms across the country this year.

"True Crime" had a banner year. There were cases with celebrities and surprises; mothers and sons; conspiracies and crazies.

Let's start with the celebrity. Sean "Diddy" Combs is a bona fide star, a highly successful music artist who has won multiple Grammys. Prosecutors accused Combs of leading a criminal enterprise that used threats, violence, forced labor, bribery and other crimes to force women to engage in drug-fueled sex acts with male escorts called "Freak Offs."

Diddy was charged by the federal government with racketeering and related sex trafficking charges. He endured a salacious eight-week trial.

Although he was acquitted of major sex trafficking and racketeering charges, it was a pyrrhic victory. He was sentenced in October of 2025 to more than four years in prison and a $500,000 fine on two counts of using transportation for prostitution.

The surprise. In the early morning of Nov. 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students, Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21 and Madison "Maddie" Mogen, 21, were brutally murdered in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

The crime shocked the nation as police gathered evidence and hunted for a suspect. More than a month later, they arrested Bryan Kohberger, a graduate criminology student at Washington State University.

Kohberger maintained his innocence, claiming he was out for a drive at the time of the murders. Prosecutors said they found DNA evidence, surveillance video and cellphone records implicating Kohberger.

At first, Kohberger and his attorneys wanted to rush to trial, then they geared up for a contentious series of pretrial motions.

Shockingly, on the eve of a pretrial hearing, Kohberger admitted to killing all four students to avoid a potential death sentence. He was sentenced to consecutive life terms for each murder.

The Conspiracy. Karen Read was accused of running over her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, John O'Keefe. It was her second trial; the first ended with a hung jury.

Prosecutors argued Read struck O'Keefe with her SUV in a snowstorm, while the defense claimed she was framed in a law enforcement cover-up and that O'Keefe died because of a beating by drunken partygoers.

Each morning during the trial, on her way into the courthouse, Read waived and interacted with throngs of adoring supporters. The trial lasted eight weeks, with over 30 days of testimony from nearly 50 witnesses.

Read was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter and guilty of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence. She was sentenced to one year of probation.

The mother and son. Charlie Adelson, a Florida dentist, was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of Dan Markel, a Florida State Law University Professor, and his sister Wendi Adelson's estranged husband. The killings were carried out by Charlie's girlfriend and her new lover.

The murder was allegedly motivated by a child custody dispute between Wendi and Markel.

Wendi denied any involvement, but guess who was indicted after Charlie was convicted, their mom, Donna Adelson. Prosecutors alleged that she was the mastermind, using her wealth and influence to hire hitmen, while the defense argued insufficient evidence and pointed the finger at other culprits.

Adelson, like her son, was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy and solicitation. The 75-year-old Donna was sentenced to life in prison plus two 30-year consecutive prison terms.

The Crazies. Lori Vallow Daybell was the subject of multiple, separate trials in Idaho and Arizona, where she was convicted of murdering her two children and conspiring to murder her husband's first wife. As for this year, in April, she was convicted of conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox. In June, she was found guilty of conspiring to murder her niece's ex-husband, who survived a drive-by shooting. Vallow represented herself during her last trial.

She is currently serving consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole.

That's a wrap for 2025. Stay tuned for next year.

Matthew T. Mangino is of counsel with Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly & George P.C. His book The Executioner's Toll, 2010 was released by McFarland Publishing. You can reach him at www.mattmangino.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewTMangino

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