Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared in court on Monday as his lawyers challenge whether key evidence can be used against him. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges that could carry the death penalty.
His defence team is seeking to suppress a gun, a notebook describing an alleged motive, and statements he made during his arrest in Pennsylvania. They argue police searched his backpack without a warrant and questioned him before reading his rights. Prosecutors say the handgun matches the murder weapon and the notebook criticises a “greed-fuelled health insurance cartel.”
Experts say excluding such evidence is unlikely because exceptions to warrant requirements may apply during a manhunt. The hearing also featured testimony from police, surveillance analysts, and workers at the McDonald’s where Mangione was arrested.
Prosecutors played CCTV of the shooting and a 911 call reporting a patron who resembled the suspect. A correctional officer testified that Mangione appeared calm in custody and was held under heightened security. Mangione’s lawyers also argue that public comments by federal officials have unfairly prejudiced the case and should bar a potential death penalty.