Department of Justice (DOJ) officials’ public statements regarding Luigi Mangione have likely broken court rules, a federal judge overseeing the case said on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett, an appointee of former President Biden, directed the prosecutors to advise Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche 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.”
Garnett added that the government’s “declaration shall also include confirmation that this message has been conveyed” to Blanche.
The judge’s order came in response to Mangione’s legal team saying Tuesday in court filings that statements made by Trump administration officials were prejudicing Mangione’s right to a fair trial.
“The Government has indelibly prejudiced Mr. Mangione by baselessly linking him to unrelated violent events and left-wing extremist groups, despite there being no connection or affiliation,” Mangione’s attorney said in the letter.
Mangione’s lawyers referenced White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, characterizing Mangione as a “left-wing assassin.” The legal team also pointed to other comments by the administration.
The judge told the U.S. government to respond by Oct. 3, adding prosecutors need to explain how “these violations occurred.”
Mangione, who was charged with fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, has pleaded not guilty.
Mangione is also facing a federal death penalty charge.
A New York state judge dismissed the terrorism charges Mangione faced last week. He is still charged with second-degree murder.
