NEW YORK (AP) — A high-stakes hearing in the New York murder case against Luigi Mangione continues Thursday, marking a year since prosecutors accuse him of gunning down Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Mangione, 27, has entered a not guilty plea on both state and federal charges. His defense team is currently fighting to prevent jurors from hearing certain statements made to law enforcement and to exclude various items, including a gun and a notebook, that were allegedly taken from his backpack.
This evidence is pivotal to the prosecution’s argument. They claim that a 9 mm handgun linked to the murder corresponds with a firearm found at Mangione's residence. Additionally, entries in the notebook allegedly express Mangione's contempt for health insurers and contemplate violence against a CEO.
Thompson, 50, was shot from behind while approaching an investor conference on December 4, 2024. Having assumed the role of CEO at UnitedHealthcare in 2021, he had an extensive tenure at parent company UnitedHealth Group Inc.
This hearing commenced earlier in the week and may carry into the next week, focused solely on the state case while foreshadowing consequential details for both cases, including witnesses, video evidence, and 911 call recordings.
Tuesday's proceedings featured body camera footage where police confronted Mangione at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The officers were astonished to discover that Mangione was the suspect sought in connection with Thompson's murder. Initial questioning revealed discrepancies in Mangione's identity and a sense of nervousness that the officers noticed.
They maintained a non-threatening tone while confirming their intention to investigate Mangione regarding the use of a fake name before he was ultimately placed under arrest on forgery charges. The footage also raised questions about the validity of the search and subsequent seizure of evidence found in Mangione's backpack.
While Mangione’s lawyers argue that statements made prior to Miranda rights being read should be inadmissible, the prosecution asserts that the search was justified based on safety concerns, suggesting that Mangione willingly provided statements before the arrest.
The courtroom continues to see tensions rise over complex legal standards regarding police searches and the rights of potential suspects in criminal cases.
