NEW YORK — Jurors selected for Luigi Mangione’s state murder trial will remain anonymous to the public, after a judge cited concerns that releasing their identities could expose them to “harassment, intimidation, or improper outside influence.”
Judge Gregory Carro ruled Tuesday that jurors’ names and addresses will be disclosed only to prosecutors and defense attorneys, keeping that information out of the public record.
Jury selection in the closely watched case is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
In explaining the decision, Carro pointed to conduct by people who have identified themselves as supporters of Mangione, saying some have made “inflammatory and hostile public statements” outside the courthouse and indicated plans to attend jury selection in an effort to speak with potential jurors.
“Given the extraordinary public attention and the documented instances of threatening or hostile behavior by individuals outside the courthouse, the court finds that disclosure of juror names to the public poses an unjustifiable risk of interference with the administration of justice,” Carro wrote in his order. “Restricting public disclosure of juror names while making the names available to the parties and counsel is an appropriate and necessary safeguard.”
Mangione’s defense team objected to the anonymous jury measure, arguing that prosecutors had not shown an “actual threat to the safety or integrity of the jury.” The defense characterized the prosecution’s concerns as “speculative” and “hypothetical.”
“They have identified no specific facts demonstrating that any actual, existing threat to the safety or integrity of the jury presently exists,” Mangione’s attorneys wrote.
Carro rejected that argument, finding that prosecutors had shown people connected to the case have already faced threats and harassment.
“The court finds that these circumstances create a realistic and substantial risk that prospective and sworn jurors could be subject to harassment, intimidation, or improper outside influence, and that disclosure of their identifying information would meaningfully increase that risk,” Carro wrote.
Prosecutors allege Mangione gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in an assassination-style killing on a Midtown Manhattan street in December 2024. Mangione has pleaded not guilty in separate state and federal cases, and faces the possibility of life in prison if he’s convicted in his state murder case.
Carro’s written order came hours after Mangione appeared in a packed courtroom for a pre-trial conference, possibly the last time the accused killer will be seen in public before jury selection begins.
The last two rows of the courtroom were filled with about 20 Mangione supporters, some wearing shirts declaring his innocence or calling for expanded courtroom access.
At the hearing, Carro shot down the defense’s claims that access to the trial was limited or that prosecutors were involved in dictating the coverage plans.
He said this was not the court’s “first rodeo” when it comes to high-profile cases.
“There has never been a discussion or decision by this court to exclude the public for these proceedings, and quite the opposite is true,” the judge said, adding that there will be an overflow room for the trial.
Carro noted that more than 80 media organizations have signaled plans to cover the trial.
“There will be less room for the public because of that, but there will be room for the public,” he said.
Hours after the pre-trial conference adjourned for the state case, it was revealed that Mangione’s lawyers are set to appear in federal court on Friday at 11 a.m. for a status conference. Prosecutors and defense lawyers jointly requested the conference in a court filing on Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney James McDonald wrote to the judge overseeing the federal trial, and said, “The parties write jointly to request a conference with the Court.”
No reason for the conference was given.
A Mangione plea offer was previously put on the table by federal prosecutors, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. It was rejected by Mangione’s legal team, who then claimed publicly there was never a discussion.
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