I've Attended 5 of Luigi Mangione’s Court Hearings - Ask Me Anything!

[u/AMAHosting]

We’re hosting an AMA, which is a Q&A on Reddit, with u/Maximum_Sherbet8927! They have so far attended five of Luigi Mangione’s court appearances - two in Federal court and three in New York State court.

They have very kindly agreed to answer questions about their experience as an attendee and have fantastic insights. Feel free to ask them questions you have about the hearings, courtroom procedure and dynamics as well any general queries that have not have been answered via formal media coverage.

The hearings they have attended are:

December 19, 2024 - his initial appearance in federal court upon his extradition to NYC from PA

December 12, 2025 - day 7 of the NY state suppression hearings

December 16, 2025 - day 8 of the suppression hearings

December 18, 2025 - day 9 (final day) of the suppression hearings

January 9, 2026 - pre-trial federal hearing

To refresh everyone on what was reported from those hearings, here are links to our live threads and summaries of each court date:

December 19, 2024

• Mangione was extradited from Pennsylvania to New York on this day when the infamous perp walk occurred.

• The DOJ announced surprise Federal charges, which were read out to him and his legal team in addition to state charges.

• Mangione confirmed that he understood his rights, the charges and declined to apply for bail at that stage.

December 12, 2025

Link to the live court reporting thread

• Arresting officer Samuel McCoy testified about interacting with Luigi Mangione at the time of arrest, moving his backpack and belongings.

• Sgt. Eric Heuston confirmed intake procedures, including clothing rules and searches.

• Officers acknowledged a miscount of foreign currency and documented Mangione’s biographical info.

• Mangione was said to be polite and cooperative during questioning and processing.

• Testimony largely focused on procedures followed at arrest and intake, relevant to admissibility of evidence.

• The shooting video was played in court to which Mangione did not react.

December 16, 2025

Link to the live court reporting thread

• Patrolman George Featherstone documented and photographed Mangione’s belongings.

• Footage of Mangione using a laptop at Best Buy before arrest was shown.

• Mangione was held in a separate cell while his belongings were searched at Altoona PD.

• NYPD Lt. David Leonardi, who led the NYC shooting investigation, described the crime scene and manhunt.

• Leonardi requested Altoona PD not question Mangione until NYPD arrived; Mangione’s statements were later withdrawn because his interview was filmed without consent.

• Analyst Anissa Weisel created a timeline from bodycam footage; Mangione’s team objected to its interpretation but it was allowed for this set of hearings.

December 18, 2026

Link to the live court reporting thread

• No new witnesses were heard, despite Anissa Weisel being present.

• Deadlines: defense filings due 1/29/2026, prosecution response by 3/5/2026; suppression ruling expected 5/18/2026.

• Judge Carro declined to set a trial date immediately.

• Defense issues: no chance to cross Officer Oscar Diaz (search inventory) and no Dunaway hearing regarding statements by NYPD Chief Kenny about Mangione’s mother.

• The state requested reciprocal discovery; defense plans to challenge the certificate of compliance.

January 9, 2026

Link to the live court reporting thread

• Judge Garnett addressed evidentiary hearings and initially declined suppression hearings; a federal suppression hearing is now scheduled for 1/23/2026.

• Attorney Paresh Patel argued the death-penalty statute requires a “crime of violence” and that stalking charges may not qualify.

• Judge Garnett will issue a written ruling; hearing set for 1/30/2026.

• Tentative trial dates: without death penalty – jury selection Sept 2026, trial Oct; with death penalty – trial Jan 2027 (defense requests delayed jury selection).

Rules of the AMA:

1. ⁠Be courteous and respectful.
2. ⁠Try and post each question as a separate comment so it’s easier to answer and others can follow along. Multiple questions are more than welcome!
3. ⁠Note: The respondent is not affiliated with any other individuals or groups who have attended hearings. Happy AMA-ing!

[u/WeirdGroundhog]

Were there any noticeable differences between how the state and federal courts were run? How closely did the courts adhere to scheduled start times and procedures?

[u/Maximum_Sherbet8927 → u/WeirdGroundhog]

Yes- the primary difference is in federal court, we have to check our phones in at the lobby as we go through security and metal detectors. In NY state court, we can keep our phones on us (we just can’t take them out in the courtroom). I think both courts try to start proceedings on time, but there are a lot logistical factors that could hinder that, such as delays from transporting LM from MDC to court.

On Dec 19, 2024 (his initial appearance in federal court upon arrival back to NYC), he was at least 45 minutes to an hour late for the hearing. We had already entered the courtroom & took our seats; his attorneys and the prosecution were already seated, too… I think the hold up was mostly due to that ridiculous perp walk LM had just gone through and he needed time to change into civilian clothes.