This Week in Court: October 26–30, 2026

Two trials go on this week, and a third case may still be with its jury. There is also a hearing in Illinois, a federal sentencing, a busy day in one Florida case, and a filing deadline. Here is who, when, and what to watch.

One of these cases involves the death of a child. All times are local court time, with Pacific time next to them. Courts can change dates and times at any time. Check the Court Calendar before you tune in. We list a livestream only when a court or network confirms one, so none are listed here.

All week — Matthew Farwell trial continues (Boston, federal court)

Time: Court has been starting at 8:45 a.m. ET (5:45 a.m. PT), per the judge’s trial notes. Next week’s times are not confirmed.

This trial is about the 2021 death of Sandra Birchmore, 23, who was pregnant. Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police detective, is charged with killing a witness and killing a child in utero. He has pleaded not guilty. Chief Judge Denise J. Casper presides. On Thursday, Oct. 22, the man officials say was the father of her unborn baby was expected to testify. No verdict has been reported.

What to watch: Whether the prosecution rests, and whether the defense calls witnesses.

Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

All week — Naresh Bhatt trial continues (Manassas, Virginia)

Time: The court listed 9:00 a.m. ET (6:00 a.m. PT) through Oct. 21. Next week’s times are not confirmed.

Mamta Kafle Bhatt disappeared in 2024. Her husband, Naresh Bhatt, is charged with murder and with concealing a dead body. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial started in early October. Jurors have seen video that prosecutors say shows him taking trash bags to dumpsters. The judge has said she is not sure the state will finish on schedule.

What to watch: When the state rests its case.

Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

Verdict watch — Faith Hedgepeth case (Durham, North Carolina)

Time: Deliberations resume Friday, Oct. 23, at 9:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. PT), Chapelboro reported.

Faith Hedgepeth, 19, was a student at UNC-Chapel Hill. She was found dead in her apartment in September 2012. Miguel Salguero-Olivares is charged with first-degree murder and other charges. He has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent. Closing arguments were held Thursday, Oct. 22, and the jury began deliberating that afternoon. As of our cutoff, there was no verdict. If the jury has not decided by Monday, deliberations could go on next week.

What to watch: The jury’s verdict, whenever it comes. A verdict only counts once the court announces it.

Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

Monday, Oct. 26 — Corie Walsh, pretrial hearing (Will County, Illinois)

Time: 9:30 a.m. CT (7:30 a.m. PT), Room 405, per the Will County court schedule.

Corie Walsh of Frankfort, Illinois, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old son, Barrett. She pleaded not guilty on Sept. 24. She is presumed innocent.

What to watch: Whether the court sets a schedule for the case.

Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander, sentencing (New York, federal court)

Time: 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT), Courtroom 26A, per a court order.

In March, a federal jury found the three brothers guilty of sex-trafficking and related charges. Judge Valerie E. Caproni moved sentencing from Oct. 6 to Oct. 27. Her order says she will not delay it again. Prosecutors have asked for life in prison. The defense has asked for much less. Survivors may speak in court.

What to watch: The sentence for each brother. The judge decides it, not the jury.

Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Jared Bridegan case, two settings (Jacksonville, Florida)

Time: Not confirmed by the court. Check before you tune in.

Jared Bridegan was shot and killed in Jacksonville Beach in 2022. In August, a jury found Mario Fernandez Saldana guilty of first-degree murder. His lawyers have asked for a new trial. News4JAX reported that his sentencing is set for Oct. 27. In Florida, that charge carries a mandatory life sentence. An older report also listed a 9:00 a.m. ET (6:00 a.m. PT) pretrial hearing that day for Shanna Gardner, Jared’s ex-wife. Newer reports do not mention it, so we treat it as unconfirmed. Gardner has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent. Her trial is set for May 2027.

What to watch: Whether sentencing goes forward, and any ruling on the new-trial request.

Case explainer: https://cassiancreed.com/post/jared-bridegan-case-explained/

Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

Friday, Oct. 30 — Luigi Mangione, filing deadline (New York state case)

Time: This is a paper deadline. No one goes to court.

Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO, was shot and killed in Manhattan in December 2024. Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in August to two federal counts. His federal sentencing is set for Dec. 18. In the separate New York state case, he has pleaded not guilty to murder and is presumed innocent. His lawyers say a state trial would try him twice for the same act. That is called double jeopardy. Oct. 30 is their last day to answer the prosecutors in writing. The next state court date is Dec. 10.

What to watch: Whether the judge sets a date to rule.

Case explainer: https://cassiancreed.com/post/luigi-mangione-psychiatric-defense-withdrawn-trial-2026/

Full details: https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

Stay in the loop

Court dates move all the time. We track every hearing so you don’t have to. Follow the Court Calendar at https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/ and join our free newsletter on cassiancreed.com for weekly updates.

Everyone named here who has not been convicted is presumed innocent.