“The subject of Friday’s conference has not been identified in the public filing,” Ms. Fast wrote. “I do not think the Friday conference is a plea because it is not docketed as a ‘change of plea hearing.’” She cited the district judge’s individual rules, which request an advance notice for changes of plea hearings.
Another possibility, according to Ms. Fast, is transportation logistics. Because Mr. Mangione is housed at a federal jail in Brooklyn, U.S. Marshals must transport him for state appearances. This logistical hurdle caused a hearing to be rescheduled on June 16, because state prosecutors failed to notify federal authorities of his required presence.
“My first guess is that the parties are working out the logistics of transporting Mr. Mangione from federal custody at the MDC to state court for trial,” Ms. Fast wrote, “ensuring he arrives on time, is dressed appropriately, and has lunch arranged. My second guess is that it’s a change of plea hearing that they are keeping under wraps.”
“If the federal case resolves first, it is very difficult to predict what will happen to the New York state case. Time will tell,” Ms. Fast concluded.
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