Multiple Department of Justice employees "may have violated" Luigi Mangione's right to a fair trial through public comments and social media posts, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday -- and it could end up swaying the judge to grant a defense motion to take the death penalty off the table.
  • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
    16·
    18 hours ago

    The judge ordered the DOJ prosecutors to file a response by Oct. 3 that included “a sworn declaration from a person of suitable authority…that explains to the Court how these violations occurred, despite the Court’s April 25 Order, and what steps are being taken to ensure that no future violations occur.”

    The order further required the prosecutors “to advise the Deputy Attorney General, for dissemination within the Department as appropriate, that future violations may result in sanctions, which could include personal financial penalties, contempt of court findings, or relief specific to the prosecution of this matter,” and to include “confirmation that this message has been conveyed to the Deputy Attorney General” in the sworn declaration due Oct. 3.

    Garnett concluded by stating that she “will consider” the statements by DOJ employees cited in the defense letter as part of the defense’s motion to strike the death penalty, spelling out a potentially very real consequence for a Trump administration that has aggressively agitated for severe consequences for Thompson’s murder.