Luigi Mangione federal trial delayed until October in death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

LOWER MANHATTAN — A federal judge in New York on Wednesday pushed back Luigi Mangione’s federal trial from September to October, giving an additional month’s separation between his state and federal trials.

U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett said the federal trial jury selection will begin Oct. 5, with the presentation of evidence beginning Oct. 26.

“Whether we like it or not, we are somewhat at the mercy of events in the state case,” Garnett said, noting Mangione’s state trial is scheduled for June 8.

“What is happening at 100 Centre [the state courthouse] inevitably affects how we structure things here so the defendant can get a fair trial,” Garnett said.

Garnett said she did not want to be “held hostage” by the state prosecution, but she said she had “some pause” about the “utility” of having potential jurors fill out questionnaires in the glare of the state trial.

“There’s really no way around taking into account the events in the state case involving the same defendant,” Garnett said.

Mangione, who was shackled at the ankles, wore a beige smock over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He kept an arm casually propped on the back of his seat during the brief hearing.

The defense had asked for Mangione’s federal trial to be delayed to January 2027.  Prosecutors objected to any rescheduling, arguing a delay prejudices the government.

Mangione is due back in federal court on June 5.

Mangione pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges after he was arrested for allegedly gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024.

Mangione, 27, faces the possibility of life in prison if he’s convicted in either case. Garnett previously threw out the federal charges that carry the possibility of the death penalty and the judge overseeing the state prosecution, Gregory Carro, previously tossed out an enhancement to the state murder charges that said Mangione’s alleged conduct amounted to terrorism. 

Carro has said he would rule on the defense motions to exclude evidence by May 18.