The defense for Luigi Mangione has asked a judge to exclude a pistol, a notebook and statements seized after his arrest in the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot in Manhattan on December 4, 2024. Authorities say Mangione was arrested days later in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s and that shell casings matched the recovered weapon. Defense lawyers argue the backpack was searched without a warrant and that custodial statements were taken without Miranda warnings. Two terror-related charges were dismissed earlier, but state murder and separate federal charges remain.
Defense Moves to Suppress Evidence in Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
The defense for 27-year-old Luigi Mangione asked a judge on Tuesday to exclude key evidence and statements in the case accusing him of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson, 50, was shot on a Manhattan street on December 4, 2024 and later died.
Authorities say Mangione was arrested days after the shooting inside a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania. Officers report finding a pistol fitted with a silencer and a notebook in his backpack; police contend shell casings recovered at the Manhattan scene matched the weapon recovered from Mangione.
Defense arguments
Defense attorneys moved to suppress the items recovered from the backpack, arguing the search occurred without a warrant and therefore the evidence should be excluded. They also asked the court to bar statements Mangione made while in custody at the restaurant, contending he was subjected to custodial interrogation without receiving Miranda warnings.
The defense filing contends investigators violated the defendant's constitutional rights and seeks to prevent that unlawfully obtained material from being used at trial.
Case status and potential penalties
A judge previously dismissed two terror-related charges in September, but Mangione still faces a state charge of second-degree murder that carries a possible sentence of life without parole if he is convicted. He also faces separate federal charges. Defense attorneys have requested a preliminary hearing on the state murder case.
The latest court proceedings will focus on whether the judge will suppress the contested evidence and statements — a decision that could significantly affect the prosecution's case.
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