Lammy to lay out plans for ‘swift justice’ by scrapping jury trials

The justice secretary is expected to scrap juries for some crimes as he unveils plans for “swift justice” trials decided by judges alone.

David Lammy will lay out the most sweeping court reforms in a generation in the Commons on Tuesday, despite fears over losing the right to a trial by jury for some crimes.

Reports suggesting that measures could go as far as scrapping juries for all but the most serious crimes – such as rape and murder – were met with opposition by legal professionals.

However the deputy prime minister is expected to plough ahead with “bold” reforms to tackle the crown court backlog, which has soared to a record high of 78,000 cases, with trials listed as far as 2030.

Ministers have warned this could rise to 100,000 by 2028 if nothing is done, with a growing number of victims giving up on seeking justice because of the lengthy delays.

Mr Lammy said: “Today I am calling time on the courts emergency that has left victims of the most serious crimes waiting years for justice and pushed the justice system to the brink of collapse.

“For many victims, justice delayed is often justice denied. Some give up on the process, while others have no confidence justice will be served if they report a crime, and perpetrators never held to account.

“This simply cannot go on – we must be bold. I will set out a fast and fair justice plan that gives victims and survivors the swift justice they deserve.”

Mr Lammy will reveal the government’s response to recommendations made by Sir Brian Leveson in July to reform the courts system and tackle the backlog.

Sir Brian called for more cases to be diverted to magistrates’ courts or to a new intermediate court where a judge would hear cases with two lay magistrates.

The former senior judge also called for juries to be reserved to hear the most serious cases, of “indictable-only” offences such as murder, rape and manslaughter, and lesser “either way” offences when a judge deems it appropriate.

He also called for judge-only trials to be used in serious and complex fraud cases, or other complex cases determined by a judge.

The full details of the government’s plans are yet to be unveiled, but Mr Lammy is expected to set out proposals to boost control for judges on how to handle cases.

He is also expected to create faster routes for lower-level cases like in Canada, which has judge-only trials and where courts minister Sarah Sackman KC visited last month.

Proposals to drastically curb jury trials have faced opposition from MPs and legal professionals, including from the Criminal Bar Association and the Bar Council, which argued “there is no need to curtail the right to a trial by jury – from both a principle and practical position”.

Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary, accused Mr Lammy of “completely” abandoning his principles after he previously defended juries while in opposition.

“Labour have chosen to spend billions of extra pounds on benefits payments rather than funding the courts to get the backlog down,” Mr Jenrick said. “This year alone 21,000 court sitting days have been missed and the court backlog is up 10 per cent on their watch.

“Instead of depriving British citizens of ancient liberties, David Lammy should get his own Department in order.”

Reports claiming Mr Lammy is considering restricting jury trials further than Sir Brian’s recommendations faced backlash from the Law Society of England and Wales, which has said it has not seen any “real evidence” it will work to reduce the backlog.

They warned the government still has time to pull the justice system “back from the brink” ahead of the announcement, adding that Sir Brian’s recommendations were already an “uncomfortable compromise”.

“We question whether it is effective to announce these reforms before the government has seen Part II of his report, which we expect will include recommendations to drive efficiency, focusing on the court estate, technology and those that operate the system,” added their former president Richard Atkinson.

According to the Ministry of Justice nearly half of the cases in the backlog are over violent and sexual offences, and only about 3 per cent of criminal cases are currently heard with a judge and a jury.

As part of the announcement, £550 million will also be given to victim support services over the next three years to help survivors and witnesses through the justice process, such as through counselling and advice on attending court.

The late victims’ commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove had repeatedly raised concerns over victims’ services, and said in October that “support can be the difference between a victim staying engaged or walking away from the justice process”.

An annual survey of victims by the watchdog found less than half of respondents were confident the criminal justice system is effective or that they could get justice by reporting a crime.

Mr Lammy has also committed to more crown court sitting days and a match-fund scheme to support more young people to begin their careers as criminal barristers.

Starmer: We must work with China – even if it threatens national security

Sir Keir Starmer appears to have laid the groundwork for a major concession to China, despite using a keynote speech to say Beijing poses “national security threats” to Britain.

With a crucial decision on the Chinese super embassy coming next week, the prime minister used his annual Mansion House speech on foreign policy to express a robust policy towards China while seeking to work with Xi Jinping’s Communist government.

He said: “[China] is a nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity. A defining force in technology, trade and global governance. At the same time it also poses national security threats to the UK.

“The UK needs a China policy that recognises this reality. Instead, for years we have blown hot and cold.

“We had the golden age, which then flipped to an Ice Age. We reject that binary choice.

“So our response will not be driven by fear, nor softened by illusion. It will be grounded in strength, clarity and sober realism.”

The words come amid growing speculation that his government will give the go-ahead for the controversial new Chinese super embassy in Royal Mint Court, despite national security concerns.

A decision on the project was postponed until 10 December when communities secretary Steve Reed will announce if he has given it the go-ahead.

The issue of relations with Beijing has dogged Sir Keir after he had to defend his government amid claims it was responsible for the collapse of a trial in October of two alleged Chinese spies in parliament.

The government claimed that the failure to designate China as a national security threat at the time of the alleged crimes prevented the trial from going ahead.

But, while Sir Keir’s new policy is very similar to the one pursued by the Tories before, he will insist that it is grounded in a realistic approach.

Describing the absence of engagement with the world’s second biggest economy as “staggering” and “a dereliction of duty”, the prime minister outlined his government’s considered and grown-up approach, saying: “This is not a question of balancing economic and security considerations. We don’t trade off security in one area, for a bit more economic access somewhere else.

“Protecting our security is non-negotiable – our first duty. But by taking tough steps to keep us secure, we enable ourselves to cooperate in other areas.”

In order to help British businesses to win their share of the opportunity, the prime minister set out more details on how the government is planning a long-term approach.

He said: “We’re absolutely clear that when it comes, for example, to defence, AI or our critical national infrastructure, we will always protect our security and our economic interests.

“But we’re also clear that in areas where there is no significant risk, we are going to give businesses the confidence, clarity and support they need to win these opportunities, with all the necessary mitigations in place.

“So in areas like financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods and more – Great British success stories – the export opportunities are huge and we will back you to seize them.”

Meanwhile, Sir Keir has indicated that he wants to go further in improving the deal with the EU over Brexit.

He used a speech on Monday to criticise the impact of Brexit on the economy. But in his Mansion House address, he ruled out returning to the bloc as members or joining the single market again.

Instead, he made a swipe at Nigel Farage and Reform UK as well as the Tories for wanting to unpick international relationships by leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

He said: “The Brexit vote was a fair, democratic expression, and I will always respect that.

“But how it was sold and delivered was simply wrong. Wild promises were made to the British people and not fulfilled. We are still dealing with the consequences today.”

He set out how the “corrosive, inward-looking attitude” peddled by those who propose choosing between our allies, leaving the ECHR or even leaving Nato will only take Britain backwards.

He will say: “It offers grievance rather than hope. A declinist vision of a lesser Britain – not a Great Britain.

“Moreover, it is a fatal misreading of the moment. Ducking the fundamental challenge posed by a chaotic world – a world which is more dangerous and unstable than at any point for a generation. Where international events reach directly into our lives, whether we like it or not.”

He added: “In these times, we deliver for Britain by looking outward with renewed purpose and pride. Not by shrinking back. In these times, internationalism is patriotism.”

Since coming to power last year, Sir Keir has been active on the world stage, trumpeting deals with the US, India and the EU and leading the “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine.

But he has also faced criticism from his opponents, who accuse him of spending too much time out of the country attending international summits rather than focusing on domestic issues.

How boy’s life was ‘made easier’ by diagnosis of rare condition

A new study has found that advances in whole genome sequencing will allow families of children with rare genetic conditions to get a diagnosis years earlier.

Whole genome sequencing provides a readout of a person’s entire genetic code and looks for changes that relate to specific health conditions.

Now, researchers have found that advances in the field over just a few years have led to families getting answers sooner and more children are receiving a diagnosis.

The parents of three-year-old Nathaniel Clayton say their son’s diagnosis with a rare condition has given them “power” to help him.

Nathaniel started having problems with his vision when he was just six months old and after numerous appointments, medics had advised that a small part of Nathaniel’s genetic code should be examined to try to determine the cause of his health problems.

But after the family were referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) in London, experts decided he should have whole genome sequencing.

By examining his whole genetic readout, doctors were able to diagnose him with an incredibly rare neurological condition called KIF1A, which only affects around 500 children globally.

His mother, Marianne de la Roche, 33, from Wandsworth, said that having a diagnosis “gives you a name of what is causing all of these issues”.

“When you have a disabled kid, there is a constant grief there, so now you can name it,” she said.

“It gives you more weight when you want to advocate for your child, and it means you can have a more targeted approach at helping them out.

“A diagnosis makes things better, makes things easier, it also means you can start planning your future.”

She said it is common for children with KIF1A to have epilepsy, and while Nathaniel has not had a seizure, the family have prepared themselves in case he does.

Although there is no current cure for KIF1A, getting a diagnosis means that Nathaniel now has access to specialist care and the family are also supported by the charity Small Steps, which helps children with physical disabilities work on all areas of their development.

Ms de la Roche said: “Perhaps for parents that haven’t lived through this, a diagnosis without a treatment might not sound too transformative.

“But being able to put a name to this holds so much power – now we have a name we can begin finding the right support for our son, we can begin looking at the research, it is the start of the next phase of Nathaniel’s, and our family’s, journey.”

She added: “I’m so proud of him, he’s always happy. He charms everyone – he’ll try to charm therapists so he doesn’t have to do the work.”

Music-loving Nathaniel has recently started nursery at a school for visually impaired children where he will be educated until he is 19.

And he has just become a big brother, with his sister Beatrice born only five weeks ago.

Genomic testing showed that it was unlikely she would have the same condition as Nathaniel, as it was not inherited.

The new study, published in the journal Genetics in Medicine, found that children diagnosed with a rare condition at Gosh who have had whole genome sequencing through the NHS’s Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) are more likely to find the genetic cause at an earlier age than before.

Researchers examined data on 500 patients who had their whole genome sequences compared with almost 2,000 children who took part in the 100,000 Genomes Project – a research project and the precursor to the GMS.

They also found that the average age at diagnosis was about two years younger, with children diagnosed under the GMS diagnosed at an average age of six compared with an average age of eight under the 100,000 Genomes Project.

Dr Emma Wakeling, consultant in clinical genetics and genomic medicine at Gosh and study lead, told PA: “We were able to really show quite nicely that the diagnostic rate overall is now significantly better in the diagnostic service that we’re running in the NHS through the Genomic Medicine Service.

“The other sort of key finding is we’re diagnosing children earlier.”

She went on: “Thanks to insights from the 100,000 Genomes Project we’ve been able to improve our service for patients.

“Making a diagnosis earlier in life brings so many benefits to children and their families.

“By doing the right genomic test at the right time in a child’s life we can best help families to access the care and treatment they need.”

Professor Dame Sue Hill, chief scientific officer for England and senior responsible officer for genomics in the NHS, said: “Genomic medicine is a key focus for the NHS because it gives us the chance to give families the first sign of hope by giving their child a clear diagnosis for the first time.

“Thanks to genomic testing in the NHS families like Nathaniel’s are getting crucial answers on average two years earlier – not only is this a huge relief for parents but it also means children with rare diseases can get faster access to treatments with a better chance of success.”

Anita Coppola, head of Small Steps, said: “Our emphasis is on creating a nurturing community for families with young children who face physical challenges, many of whom may have an undiagnosed genetic condition.

“Gaining access to genetic testing and receiving a diagnosis can be vital for families to move forward, both practically and emotionally.”

Teenager, 18, dies after exiting ambulance on motorway

A teenager died after he left an ambulance on a motorway and was hit by a car, police have said.

The 18-year-old exited the ambulance after it stopped to provide him with further treatment on the northbound carriageway of the M5 in North Somerset, between junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) and 20 (Clevedon), while taking him to hospital.

The ambulance service informed police shortly after 11pm on Sunday that the patient was on the motorway, Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement. But he was hit by a car and died at the scene.

The M5 was closed as a result of the incident to allow emergency services to respond and investigations to take place. The road was reopened on Monday morning.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at such a devastating time. We will support them in any way we can,” Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said.

“This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened.

“As well as providing support to the man’s family, we are also making sure that the appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for our staff and also for those members of the public who were either directly involved or who witnessed the incident.”

The force said it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on what happened. The family has been notified of the death and are being supported by a police liaison officer.

Jane Whichello from South Western Ambulance Service told the BBC: “We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the man involved in this incredibly sad incident.

“Alongside police colleagues, our crews put their own safety at risk to help the patient and reduce the risk of harm to passing motorists, and I would like to thank them for their efforts.”

If Kemi Badenoch carries on like this she’ll be elected prime minister

It is a good time to be Kemi Badenoch.

Serious as the subject is, the leader of the Conservatives is clearly enjoying taking on Rachel Reeves over alleged fudged numbers and broken promises in the wake of the Budget.

At a particularly punchy news conference in the City on Monday morning, Badenoch hit out hard at the “false information” the chancellor had appeared to give “deliberately” in order to allow her Budget a “soft landing” – a deeply sobering charge that has seen Badenoch’s party call for the UK’s financial regulator to investigate “possible market abuse” by people working in the Treasury and Downing Street in the run-up to the Budget. “If a chief executive had done this, they’d have been sacked,” Badenoch said.

As usual, she has a point – which is not something you can say of the woman in her sights. Walking past the saccharine paint-by-numbers art of the traditional screevers along Hyde Park this weekend reminded me of our chancellor’s weaker waffle in the lead-up to her Budget.

Despite months of chaos, Reeves stood and moralised to a nation, asking them to think of the “poor children” as she imposed £26bn of tax rises on hardworking families, many of whom are skirting just above poverty.

Contrast that with Kemi’s blistering and bombastic riposte at the despatch box last Wednesday, which was both strikingly effective and proof that she has finally found her footing.

“A smorgasbord of misery” was one corker, but it was “a Budget for Benefits Street, paid for by working people” that really stuck. And when she turned to her MPs with the rallying cry, “What have we got? Welfare spending – up! Universal credit claimants – up! Debt interest – up! Inflation – up! Growth – down! Business confidence – down!”, you knew this moment had been expertly orchestrated to dominate social media clicks.

There may be those of you who hate this level of hyperbolic rhetoric, consider it childish, and view Badenoch’s theatrics as a demonstration of the worst of Westminster, but hyperbole exists in politics for a reason – to achieve cut-through. It is no coincidence that Reform UK has slipped back in the polls, with a new poll for The i Paper suggesting that the party’s lead over the Conservatives is shrinking.

The Tories have gained three points to hit their highest poll rating since March, which pollsters said could represent the “first shoots of recovery”.

And it is why you hear critics of this government – including many Labour stalwarts, such as Ed Balls – consistently questioning Keir Starmer’s narrative and direction. Without a clear strategic vision shaped into a story voters can align with, delivered through concise, clippable lines, support drains fast.

In a good economic climate, a government might just get by with this sort of politics by triangulation. Not when it’s raising taxes. This government now looks buffeted by events, and in recent weeks has lurched into internecine chaos. The impression is of a leader – Starmer – who is not in control, but being controlled. Any hoped-for bounce in the polls from measures to ease the cost-of-living crisis has been drowned by arguments over benefit bungs and whether the chancellor misrepresented the spending watchdog. Fifty-eight per cent of voters believe that Reeves has broken her manifesto pledge on taxation.

By contrast, Badenoch’s profile continues to rise, after she initially had to deal with a bankrupt party haemorrhaging members. Where once her directness was seen as a negative, her pugilistic approach has now been honed by an experienced new team to land knockout blows. Straight after she finished mocking the chancellor for her moaning about “mansplaining”, Badenoch was on LBC Radio, making no apologies for her “personal attack” and rolling out more effective punchlines, including: “Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer are using our money to save their jobs.”

On the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, despite a plucky defence from the puffy-faced chancellor, Reeves’s explanations were too complex; she was defensive, compared with Badenoch’s calm defiance. It is the Conservative framing of the post-Budget debate, including Badenoch’s call for Reeves to resign for “misleading” the public about the supposed black hole, that is sticking.

A post-Budget YouGov poll showed that only 11 per cent think Reeves is doing a good job as chancellor, with 48 per cent saying the Budget was unfair (versus 21 per cent who saw it as fair). And overwhelmingly, people said this Budget would leave the country worse off. The last years of the Tories were marked by turmoil. The problem for this Labour government is that it promised to end that chaos. Rancorous party politics and depleting trust have led to 27 per cent of younger voters now claiming they would prefer an autocratic style of government. I don’t believe this actually equates to them yearning for a police state; instead, it reveals a longing for strong, directional leadership.

It is not surprising that alongside Badenoch’s successful autumn, Wes Streeting and the newly anointed home secretary Shabana Mahmood are enjoying a surge in popularity. The similarities between the two are clear: both are highly effective communicators who underpin their arguments with a narrative the public can easily get onside with. Mahmood’s defence of her major policy reforms on immigration was a masterclass in how to bring party and public with you. Her performance in the Commons was as punchy as anything we’ve seen from Badenoch – including her use of the “P-word”. Their rhetorical skills are an acute threat to their leader because they expose Starmer’s fustian leanings.

Was this week a breakthrough moment for Badenoch? Within her own party – yes. And she dominated headlines over Nigel Farage – which she consistently needs to – as he battles accusations of antisemitic bullying from when he was in school. But Badenoch knows it’s too soon to expect voters to trust the Conservatives again, and that is why she keeps talking up her role as leader of the opposition. The more immediate threat to Starmer may come not from her, but from the bombastic Labour orators on his own benches.

Education for all: How your skills could make you a great teacher

From construction and engineering to hospitality and beauty, Further Education teaching opens up doors to a wide range of careers. Encompassing a range of technical and vocational courses and qualifications for those over 16 who aren’t studying for a degree, it offers a more hands on, industry-led approach to learning.

Further Education offers a more focused, vocational approach and a fast-track into the workplace. It allows you to build on your existing skills and experience while shaping the next generation of professionals in your field. To find out more, we spoke to Further Education students and teachers about how it works and what they get out of it.

Further Education qualifications can be started from the age of 16. “It’s a step up from school but it doesn’t involve so much independent learning and research as many Higher Education degrees,” explains Susan Simmonds, 52, a Further Education lecturer in Land and Wildlife Management at Sparsholt College Hampshire. “During this time, learners gain so much maturity and a qualification that can take them out into industry,”

Sometimes this study might be full-time in college, while other Further Education opportunities offer apprenticeships, with students gaining qualifications while working on the job. Overall, the courses are generally more practical and directly linked to industry and preparing learners for their future careers. “These courses give students a wide range of relevant experience, knowledge and skills during a time when they’re maturing, and becoming ready to transition into the world of work,” Susan says.

There are often myths and misconceptions about the world of Further Education. From the learner side, many people don’t necessarily realise the opportunities available to them through Further Education, as Meri, 17, who is studying an Extended Technical Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management Level 3 at Sparsholt College, explains. “Many people I have spoken to don’t realise there are multiple ways to prepare for a career in industry, and that courses like mine can open those doors.”

For Meri, it’s been a really positive experience, and one that has helped prepare her for the workplace. “The college has a lot of contacts with industry and the assignments we do are similar to professional reports.” Meanwhile, Zach, 17, who is on the same course, has also thrived at the Further Education college: “I have been able to meet far more friends and great people and I feel as though it has helped me grow. It’s also provided many opportunities to experience real-world practical work.”

For those training or working as Further Education teachers, often after years spent in a specific industry sector, it’s the students that make their new career so rewarding. David Hobson, 54, who teaches the Motor Vehicle course at Stockton Riverside College, found that the job satisfaction he gets from sharing his personal know-how with the next generation of workers has kept him in Further Education teaching for 16 years. “The benefits of passing on my skills to young people keep me going. It’s an opportunity for me to equip learners with the industry skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers”

Susan, who teaches Further Education part-time alongside her work as a Community Ecologist, has had a similar experience: “I find the work really energising. Young people are so full of life and enthusiasm that I come home feeling uplifted.”

Whether it’s part-time alongside your current job or a switch to full-time teaching, Further Education teaching can be a really rewarding and valuable career move.

Teaching in a mixture of colleges (often General Further Education Colleges or Sixth Form Colleges) and Adult and Community Learning Centres, as well as workplace and apprenticeship settings, it can fit around your life and other commitments. While typical full-time contracts are around 35 hours a week, there are also some part-time or flexible options available.

Real world industry experience across a wide range of jobs can set you on a path to becoming a Further Education teacher, with opportunities in everything from construction and healthcare, to engineering, digital, hospitality, tourism and beauty. You don’t always need teaching qualifications to start teaching in further education, you can undertake training on the job which is often funded by your employer.

If, like Susan and David, you see the appeal of sharing the industry knowledge and skills you’ve developed with the next generation, exploring the option of becoming a Further Education teacher can be a great next step. As David points out, “You won’t know how enjoyable it is until you try it.”

Looking for a new role that’s rewarding, flexible and draws on your current career? Why not consider sharing your experience where it matters most – helping inspire the next generation of workers in the field you love? Visit the Further Education website to find out more

Suspect accused of mass stabbing on Huntingdon train refuses to attend court

A man charged over a mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire and a spate of knife attacks in Peterborough has failed to attend his court hearing, and will stand trial next year.

Anthony Williams, 32, is accused of attempting to murder 10 people on an LNER service from Doncaster to London on 1 November, which led to 11 people being treated in hospital.

He is also accused of attempting to murder a 17-year-old on a DLR train at Pontoon Dock in east London as well as several separate incidents on 31 October.

He did not attend Monday’s hearing at Cambridge Crown Court, with a provisional trial date set for 22 June 2026.

The attack started shortly after the train left Peterborough station, with passengers pulling the emergency alarms. Train driver Andrew Johnson, who served in the Royal Navy for 17 years, contacted a signaller and requested an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station.

Williams has been charged with the attempted murder of Scott Bletcher; Michael Paffett; Kevin Deely; Jonathan Gjoshe; David Presland; Sachin Balakrishnan; Stephen Crean; Samir Zitouni; Rasza Aslam and Scott Green.

Mr Zitouni, who had been working as a train crew member, was left in a critical condition with multiple injuries after being credited with helping to save multiple lives.

Williams is also charged with the attempted murder of a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and the attempted murder of a 22-year-old man, William Ogelby.

The two separate incidents are both said to have happened in Peterborough on 31 October, the former at a footbridge above Henry Penn Walk and the latter at Rail World car park.

He is also accused of the attempted wounding of 28-year-old Dawid Taborski on the same footbridge, which occurred at around 7pm.

At 7.20pm, he is accused of affray at Ritzy’s Barbers in Queens Walk, as well as the theft of a pack of knives, described in a court document as a “four-pack of kitchen knives to the value of £15” from an Asda store in Stevenage.

This theft was said to have happened on 31 October.

Williams is charged with the assault of Jordan Morley on a King’s Cross to Peterborough train on 1 November.

He is also charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place at a footbridge near Henry Penn Walk, the Rail World car park and Queen’s Walk, all in Peterborough, on 31 October.

The alleged knifeman was remanded into custody following his arrest in Huntingdon.

Cambridgeshire Police announced that it has commissioned an internal review of events prior to the mass stabbing on the LNER train service from Doncaster to King’s Cross.

Court hears how facial feature of suspected assassin Luigi Mangione led to arrest

A distinctive facial feature helped alert patrons of a Pennsylvania McDonald’s that suspected UnitedHealthCare CEO killer Luigi Mangione was eating at the restaurant, prompting management to call the police who ultimately arrested him, a New York court heard on Monday.

A manager at an Altoona McDonald’s called police at 9:14 a.m. on December 9, 2024, telling dispatchers a “frantic” female customer was “really upset” because she thought the masked Mangione was inside the franchise.

As the operator asked for more identifying information about how Mangione looked, the manager responded, “The only thing you can see are his eyebrows.”

Police officers were dispatched two minutes later, and Mangione was eventually arrested. The arrest followed police flagging Mangione’s face in the first place after he lowered his mask to smile at a hostel clerk in New York.

The 911 audio was played for the court as part of pre-trial deliberations over evidence obtained in the arrest.

Ahead of the state murder trial over CEO Brian Thompson’s killing in Manhattan last year, Mangione is seeking to stop the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office from showing or describing to jurors a gun and a personal notebook police say they recovered from his bag during his arrest.

The prosecution has quoted from the notebook extensively as it makes it case, including sections where Mangione allegedly praised the Unabomber and wrote that Thompson was a “greedy bastard that had it coming.”

The 27-year-old inmate’s attorneys claim his rights were “trampled” during the arrest because officers initially searched his backpack without a warrant and questioned him for about 20 minutes before reading him his rights.

Elsewhere during Monday’s proceedings, where Mangione sat quietly and listened to the evidence as supporters looked on from the court gallery, a Pennsylvania corrections officer testified about speaking with Mangione during his time being held in the state prior to his extradition back to New York.

Tomas Rivers, a guard at SCI Huntingdon, a high-security prison near Altoona, said he and Mangione spoke of “the difference between private health care and nationalized health care,” and added that Mangione claimed at one point he “wanted to make a statement to the public” during his detention, a suggestion the guard ignored.

In September, Judge Gregory Carro threw out state terrorism charges against Mangione.

The 27-year-old faces up to life in prison in the state case and could face the death penalty if found guilty in a separate federal case.

No trial date has been set for either case.