Mangione hearing delayed after paperwork issue
· UPIJune 16 (UPI) -- Luigi Mangione is expected to appear in court Wednesday for the latest hearing in his state murder case. The hearing was delayed from Tuesday after a paperwork error.
"Mistakes happen. People make mistakes," Karen Agnifilo, defense attorney, said Tuesday after the postponement, CBS News reported. Prosecutors said they were responsible for the delay.
Mangione faces state and federal charges for the death of Brian Thompson, United Healthcare CEO, in a December 2024 shooting. He has pleaded not guilty.
The reasons for Wednesday's hearing are unknown. Judge Gregory Carro scheduled it earlier in June. He also closed a June 3 conference to the public and the press at the request of defense lawyers, refusing to provide a reason for the closure, ABC News reported.
Mangione's trial on the state charges is expected to start Sept. 8.
"Both sides should be working on a questionnaire for jury selection," Carro said Tuesday, ABC News reported.
The judge ruled in May that a police search of Mangione was "improper" and "warrantless," and suppressed the use of some items found in a backpack with the suspect as evidence. However, he said that a gun and notebook later found in a search of the backpack at a police station would be allowed.
The judge in the federal case previously ruled that the backpack evidence is allowed. Mangione is expected to go on trial for the federal charges in 2027.