Legal news covering major trials, court decisions, federal courts, appellate rulings, and notable cases in the American judicial system.
A Damascus court sentenced former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher, and former security official Atef Najib to death on charges of murder, torture, and incitement to murder. Najib was tried in person, while the Assad brothers were tried in absentia and ordered to be pursued internationally. Assad fled to Moscow in December 2024 as Islamist-led forces advanced on Damascus, ending his nearly 24-year rule.
Judge Gregory Carro set jury selection for September 8 in Luigi Mangione's state murder trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks with an anonymous jury, and an overflow courtroom will be available. Prosecutors plan to present DNA, ballistics, and surveillance video evidence; defense hints at extreme mental health defense. Mangione faces second-degree murder and weapons charges, and has pleaded not guilty.
A surprise hearing in Luigi Mangione's federal case is scheduled for Friday morning in Manhattan, requested jointly by prosecutors and his lawyers, fueling speculation of a plea deal. The joint letter does not state the purpose, and neither side commented on an anonymous report about a possible agreement. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and recently withdrew plans to assert a psychiatric defense. His state trial is set for 8 September.
Luigi Mangione, 28, appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court for a final hearing before jury selection in his murder trial begins Sept. 8. He faces state charges including murder, weapons offenses, and forgery brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Justice Gregory Carro is expected to address jury selection and media access. Mangione maintains his innocence and also faces a federal trial on stalking charges. Thompson was shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on 4 December 2024.
Nick Reiner, 33, pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, in their Brentwood home. A grand jury indictment adds allegations of lying in wait and personal use of a knife. He faces the death penalty or life without parole, is held without bail, and returns to court Sept. 15.
Defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, filed a 41-page brief arguing the sole aggravating factor should be struck, removing the death penalty. They claim prosecutors failed to prove Robinson knowingly endangered others. Robinson turned himself in a day after the killing and has not yet entered a plea. Judge Tony Graf Jr. will decide on Sept. 1 whether the case proceeds to trial.
US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn dismissed securities fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani on Monday, after the Justice Department dropped the fraud and bribery case. Justice Department official Trent McCotter said he chose to drop the charges after meeting with Adani's lawyers and conducting his own review, describing the case as mostly a foreign matter and difficult to prove. The judge was scornful of the dismissal process, noting it was done largely in collaboration with defense counsel and without input from investigating agents. Adani Group has denied wrongdoing.
Simon Levy, 40, was sentenced to a whole life order at the Old Bailey for murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025, and raping a third woman. He was found guilty on Friday. Police had arrested Levy several times for sexual assaults on trains but released him, and he sexually assaulted five more women before killing Wilkins. The IOPC served misconduct notices on two Met officers.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro ruled that jurors in Luigi Mangione's murder trial will remain anonymous, citing concerns of intimidation by his supporters. He also approved an overflow room with audio and video feeds for the Sept. 8 trial, noting the district attorney's office did not participate in media-access discussions. Over 80 news organizations are expected to attend.
The U.S. government filed an opening brief Monday appealing a trade judge's order that tariff refunds go to all importers, not just those who sued. Lawyers argue the judge overstepped, citing a Supreme Court case limiting universal injunctions. Most refunds have been paid, but importers who haven't sued can still file within the statute of limitations. Law professor Barry Appleton said the government may have the better legal argument but smaller businesses might suffer if they must sue to get refunds.