The judge overseeing the state trial of Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, has laid down the ground rules for court public and media access to the high-profile case.<\/p>\n
Mangione returned to court on Tuesday ahead of his murder trial, which begins next month in New York. Dressed in a charcoal grey suit with his hair clipped short, Mangione sat silently at the defence table while his attorneys conferred with the judge.<\/p>\n
In Tuesday's hearing, Judge Gregory Carro decided that the 12-person jury would remain anonymous to the public due to the spotlight on the case, and that there would be an overflow room to meet media demand.<\/p>\n
The case has attracted national attention, and has also created an online frenzy, with both his backers – many of whom see Mangione as a symbol of the backlash against US healthcare costs – and his critics analysing everything from his intentions to his appearance.<\/p>\n
The spectacle is likely to intensify when jury selection for the trial begins on 8 September.<\/p>\n
Mangione, if found guilty, could face decades behind bars. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including second-degree murder and weapons-related offences.<\/p>\n
He faces a separate federal trial next year, in which he has also pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n
Much of what is expected at the state trial \u2013 the prosecutor's case, Mangione's defence, and obstacles both parties face \u2013 were previewed in months of court filings and arguments.<\/p>\n
Here's what to know about the upcoming trial, and what questions remain.<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, Mangione's lawyers and prosecutors have traded terse court filings debating just how much access the public will have to the trial.<\/p>\n
The trial is expected to generate significant coverage across traditional outlets, social media, and streaming platforms. Mangione's supporters have demanded more transparency, and frequently post and broadcast from outside court.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Carro said the court would open an overflow room during the trial, which will allow more members of the public and press to attend in person.<\/p>\n
Listen to The Mangione Podcast: How a murder case fuelled a culture war<\/p>\n
Judge rules gun and writings are admissible in Luigi Mangione's New York murder trial<\/p>\n
In earlier court filings, Mangione's lawyers had questioned the court's press procedures, and why the court had not yet established an overflow room to meet public demand. They also implied \u2013 and later walked back \u2013 that prosecutors were influencing the court's media policies, which the Manhattan District Attorney's office denied.<\/p>\n