Judge holds secret closed-door hearing in Luigi Mangione case despite press protests

The New York judge overseeing Luigi Mangione’s murder trial held a mysterious behind-closed-doors hearing Wednesday – refusing to hear pushback from media covering the high-profile case.Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro huddled with the 28-year-old accused killer – who presumably called in via a video feed from jail – along with prosecutors and Mangione’s lawyers in a “sealed” virtual hearing, the judge said Wednesday morning.Carro’s decision to hold the sealed hearing came at the request of Mangione’s defense team, the judge said.He did not explain why the proceeding was sealed, and did not address a letter sent to the court Tuesday evening by several media organizations, including The Post, asking him to consider allowing the press and public to have access.“Just so the record is clear, we did have a virtual proceeding in the people versus Luigi Mangione case,” Carro said from the bench after emerging from the half-hour hearing.“Defendant was present.His attorneys were present.

The people were present,” Carro added.“At the request of the defense, that proceeding is sealed at the moment and we have adjourned the case to June 16, and it’s a physical appearance, and you’re all invited to be here.”Mangione’s lawyers refused to comment.Reps for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, which is prosecuting the case, also did not comment.Journalists and members of the public typically have the right to be present for virtual hearings, with a video feed of the proceedings played in open court.Several journalists stood up Wednesday morning and attempted to address the court in the wake of Carro’s statement.

The judge did not allow them to address him, and quickly moved onto the next case on his schedule....