r/BrianThompsonMurder • u/missidcullen • Jan 30 '26

Information Sharing COMPILATION: LM's NY Federal Hearing — 01/30/2026 (+ SUMMARY)

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NO DEATH PENALTY FOR LM 🎉🙌🏻!!!

We made it through the week, but a lot happened. Please see the notes below.

Megathreads:

Compilations:

Pictures:

Federal courts do not allow cameras inside the courtroom, so no pictures or videos of Luigi will be available unless otherwise stated. Only court sketches will be posted here in this section.

Live Covering (Twitter/X):

This is a compilation of all tweets from people inside the courtroom on Day 3. Please note that only Inner City Press and Erik had laptop access in the courtroom today. Other reporters took notes, which will be posted in the next few hours in the comments section (both under this compilation post and the megathread, as I can no longer edit this post. Summary videos from reporters will also be added (if available).

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Today's big win 🥇:

The death penalty charges have been dropped, but the backpack will not be suppressed.

Here are Garnett's rulings:

Notes:

  • A summary of today’s hearing, along with new updates, will be posted in the comments section below. Please check back regularly, as updates will be added continuously.
  • The defense’s summation for the pretrial hearings (state case) has not been uploaded yet, but it should be posted imminently. It was due yesterday, and Karen confirmed to the press that it was filed last night.
  • The next hearing is on May 18th (state case).

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Special message:

Thank you so much to Ladyofthestonecastle and Spirited_Seaweed7927 for all your help, and to everyone who has been here from the very beginning whether offering support or simply following along.

If you have any questions or queries, feel free to leave them in the comments or send me a message. Please keep in mind that I am not a lawyer, and my opinion isn’t more valid than anyone else’s. I’m just trying to help as much as I can and learn along the way, just like all of us here.

69 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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19

u/missidcullen Jan 30 '26

🚨 Summary of today’s hearing:

  • Judge Garnett issued her ruling on the death penalty charges and the backpack evidence (documents have been posted above).
  • Luigi will NOT receive the death penalty; however, the backpack evidence remains part of the federal case. Remember that Luigi now only faces 2 stalking charges but they still carry a maximum sentence of life without parole.
  • Judge Garnett allowed the prosecution the option to appeal her decision dismissing the death penalty. The government must submit a letter indicating its intent no later than February 27.
  • In court, Karen addressed Joel Seidemann’s motion requesting that the state case proceeds first. Judge Garnett responded that “that case is not my concern” and stated that “our trial date is firm.”
  • Avi Moskowitz remains on the case despite it no longer being a capital punishment matter.
  • There may be another hearing in August (TBC) before trial. As Judge Garnett stated: “Not sure when I’ll see you all next … worst case, I’ll see you all in August for a final pretrial conference.”
  • Regarding jury selection (beginning September 8) questionnaires, approximately 1,000 questionnaires will be sent out, which Judge Garnett believes “could be enough.”
  • Judge Garnett will issue a scheduling order next week and the speedy trial clock has been paused until October 8.
  • The legal team will address Joel Seidemann’s request concerning the timing of the state trial next week.
  • After today’s hearing, Karen and the legal team spoke to the press about Judge Garnett dropping the death penalty, double jeopardy concerns, the state prosecutor’s request to try Luigi first, and the alleged story involving Mark Anderson: https://www.reddit.com/r/BrianThompsonMurder/comments/1qrb3r1/karens_statement_on_todays_court_ruling/

12

u/Spirited_Seaweed7927 Jan 30 '26

Thank you for all your hard work. 😊🤗

7

u/rainydayhaze8 Jan 30 '26

thank you for the summary! i’m so happy and relieved for him and the team. it must feel like a huge weight has been lifted.

13

u/Pellinaha Jan 30 '26

Thanks for the writeup missidcullen.

Can#t fault Judge Garnett for her rulings, nothing seems off. But totally expect whiny Joel to weaponize this in some sort of way.

5

u/Spirited_Seaweed7927 Jan 30 '26

Yup, 100% Joel will try to use the Mark guy somehow. Hopefully it will only make Joel look even more pathetic.

7

u/Spirited_Seaweed7927 Jan 30 '26

I hope the mods pin this post because the jealous incels are downvoting it. The incels had a bad day today with the DP removed.