On Monday, a judge in New York ruled that certain evidence could not be shown to the jury. Amidst this, a handful of supporters with press passes from New York City made headlines by giving incendiary remarks about the case.

Molly Crane-Newman captured on video several attendees at the pretrial hearing making shocking statements. One supporter, Lena Weissbrot, argued that the children of Brian Thompson were better off without him and needed to 'learn not to be like their dad.' Another attendee, Ashley, went as far as saying, 'Fuck Brian Thompson; I don’t give a flying fuck he died.'

The incident sparked a debate on press credentials. Former Mayor Eric Adams accused the current administration of being reckless in granting these passes to individuals who run social media accounts under the moniker 'The Mangionistas.' The city’s definition of a journalist, which includes nontraditional formats like Substack essays, adds another layer of complexity.

The controversy highlights the blurring lines between a journalist, an influencer, and an activist. It raises fundamental questions about who gets to decide what is reporting and whether stricter rules might limit access to information.

This situation isn't just an edge case; it reflects broader changes in our media landscape where everyone can be a content creator. The Luigi Mangione case has become a microcosm of these larger issues, revealing the messiness that comes with turning someone on trial for murder into a celebrity.