Luigi Mangione, 27, appeared in federal court as a judge considers whether evidence seized from his backpack — including a 9mm pistol, a silencer and journal entries — may be used in the federal death-penalty case accusing him of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Defense lawyers say the search was warrantless and illegal; prosecutors argue Altoona officers lawfully searched the bag after arresting Mangione for fake identification. Deputy Chief Nathan Snyder testified about the Altoona Police Department’s property-handling procedures. Jury selection in the federal case is scheduled for early September, and a separate Manhattan prosecution is also weighing suppression motions.
Accused Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Appears in Federal Court as Judge Weighs Backpack Evidence
FILE PHOTO: Luigi Mangione attends an evidentiary hearing in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, at the Manhattan Supreme Court in New York, U.S., December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/Pool/File Photo
Luigi Mangione, 27, appeared in federal court in Manhattan on Friday as U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett considers whether key items seized from his backpack can be admitted in the federal death-penalty case alleging he fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder, stalking and weapons offenses, appeared in prison clothing at the hearing. Defense attorneys argued that officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania conducted an unlawful, warrantless search of his backpack and asked the judge to suppress evidence including a 9-millimeter pistol, a silencer and journal entries.
Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York say Altoona officers lawfully arrested Mangione after discovering fake identification and were permitted to search his bag for dangerous items before transporting him, so a warrant was not required. Federal prosecutors say the contested items are material to the case and should be admitted.
Judge Garnett ordered an Altoona Police Department officer to testify about the department’s written procedures for securing, safeguarding and inventorying property recovered when someone is arrested in a public place. Prosecutors called Deputy Chief Nathan Snyder to describe those policies and the steps officers are required to follow when handling property.
Separately, Mangione’s lawyers have asked Garnett to dismiss the federal indictment on asserted legal defects or to bar prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in light of alleged constitutional violations. Garnett has set jury selection in the federal case for early September.
Mangione also faces state charges filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The judge overseeing that state prosecution is considering a similar motion to suppress evidence from the backpack; no trial date has been set in the state case.
Context: The shooting drew widespread condemnation from public officials. Some members of the public, critical of health-care costs and insurance practices, have reacted to the case in an unusual and controversial manner.
(Reporting by Jack Queen; editing by Franklin Paul and Deepa Babington)
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