Lawyers representing Luigi Mangione, accused in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, have filed a court challenge against media access restrictions for his upcoming state murder trial in New York City.

Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, argued in a filing dated Friday, July 31, 2026, that limiting the trial coverage to 68 journalists and denying an overflow courtroom violates Mangione's constitutional right to a public trial. The filing expressed concerns that the court or district attorney might "hand-pick" which reporters are allowed to attend, potentially restricting fair media access.

The defense raised three objections they contend amount to constitutional violations, highlighting that they were not given an opportunity to be heard before these media access decisions were made. Agnifilo described the selection process as problematic and is requesting a public hearing on the matter. She also seeks the court to disclose the list of six journalists chosen to cover jury selection, the full list of 68 journalists permitted to cover the trial, and an explanation of the criteria and decision-makers behind the selection.

Mangione has appeared previously at hearings related to the case, including an evidence suppression hearing at the Manhattan Supreme Court on May 18, 2026, and a pre-trial hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on June 17, 2026. Prosecutors have recovered a gun and a notebook containing writings about corporate America and the health insurance industry following the murder of CEO Brian Thompson.

The trial is set in New York City, with ongoing legal proceedings addressing both the merits of the case and procedural issues such as media access.

Sources