Luigi Mangione’s legal team is gearing up for a high-stakes fight in Manhattan, aiming to block prosecutors from using evidence they claim links him to the 2024 assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The 27-year-old is set to attend hearings starting Monday to challenge whether jurors can hear about or see items seized during his arrest, which include a 9mm handgun and a notebook allegedly outlining his intent to target a health insurance executive.
Charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the shocking point-blank killing nearly a year ago, Mangione has pleaded not guilty.
He’s also facing federal charges including two counts of stalking and one count of murder using a firearm.
Defense Challenges the Legality of the Arrest
Mangione’s attorneys are focusing on what they say were unconstitutional actions during his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Police allegedly seized his backpack without a warrant and questioned him before reading him his rights at a McDonald’s, following a five-day manhunt.
They argue that both the gun and notebook should be suppressed, along with statements Mangione made, including allegedly giving a false name.
Footage shows an officer rifling through his bag while claiming to check for a bomb — a move the defense calls “a cover-up for an illegal search.”
Excluding these items would be a major win for Mangione, stripping prosecutors of what they consider a murder weapon and potential evidence of motive.
Prosecutors Highlight Diary Entries and Surveillance Footage
In court filings, the Manhattan District Attorney has cited passages from Mangione’s diary praising the Unabomber and describing his plan to attack the health insurance industry, calling it a “greedy cartel.”
Prosecutors claim these writings, along with surveillance footage showing a masked gunman, point to premeditation.
The defense, however, questions whether some proposed witnesses should testify, noting that they did not see the crime in person and only viewed footage.
Preparing for Weeks of Courtroom Proceedings
State Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro is expected to hear from over 20 witnesses before ruling on the evidence’s admissibility.
Mangione’s team is bracing for a long week, requesting multiple clothing items from the Bureau of Prisons to ensure he is prepared for extended hearings.
While this week’s hearings focus solely on the state case, federal proceedings are also looming, with the next hearing scheduled for January 9.
Mangione’s Case Draws National Attention
Mangione’s arrest has drawn widespread attention, with some supporters calling him a symbol of resistance against a corrupt healthcare system.
Letters reportedly flood in at a rate of up to 200 per day.
Many of these supporters are expected in court to cheer him on.
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors argue the backpack search was justified to check for dangerous items, and that certain statements, such as Mangione giving a fake name, do not require Miranda warnings.
Allegations of Political Interference
The defense has accused former President Donald Trump and former Attorney General Pam Bondi of influencing public perception and prejudicing the case.
They cite Trump’s statements linking Mangione to politically motivated violence and Bondi’s calls for the death penalty as evidence that Mangione’s right to a fair trial has been compromised.
Federal prosecutors maintain that officials’ public comments are separate from the prosecution and do not equate to proof of prejudicial effect.
They also confirmed that posts related to these comments have been removed.
A Case with Life-or-Death Stakes
Mangione faces life in prison under state charges and the death penalty federally.
While the hearings this week concern only the state case, the outcome could heavily impact his defense strategy moving forward.
For now, the spotlight remains on Manhattan as the legal battle over evidence and fair trial rights gets underway.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn