Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of gunning down former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is due back in New York State Supreme Court, where the judge is expected to rule on defense motions.
His defense team is seeking to dismiss the state murder indictment, arguing it violates the Constitution’s double jeopardy clause since he also faces federal charges for the same killing. They are also pushing to suppress evidence seized during his arrest and statements he made to law enforcement.
Mangione is accused of killing Thompson as the executive walked toward a Midtown Manhattan hotel hosting UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference in December 2024. The manhunt that followed drew national attention, with investigators revealing writings allegedly linked to Mangione and bullets marked with words like “delay,” “deny,” and “depose.”
The case has been tied to a surge of politically motivated violence in the U.S., including the recent assassination of activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.
Mangione’s court appearance marks his first in state proceedings since February. Supporters regularly attend his hearings, wearing green and carrying signs. He has raised over $1.2 million online since his arrest, with donations as small as $5.
If convicted in state court, Mangione faces life in prison. Federal prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty in their case. His attorneys want the federal trial to go first, arguing that a state conviction would make it impossible to seat an impartial jury later.
The defense also claims prosecutors wrongfully obtained Mangione’s medical records and accuse state and federal officials of colluding to obstruct his defense. They argue terrorism charges should be dropped, saying the law is meant for attacks on multiple civilians, not a single individual. Prosecutors counter that the killing was a calculated political message, pointing to Mangione’s alleged writings.
His attorneys insist the writings were private and never released by him, accusing law enforcement of leaking them and creating the perception of terrorism. They argue the case was inflated into an act of terrorism by investigators, not Mangione.
The court will also consider whether to suppress items found in Mangione’s backpack, including a gun, ammunition, and documents, as well as his statements made after his arrest in Pennsylvania.
Press cameras are expected outside the courtroom, and photographers will be allowed to capture images of Mangione before the hearing begins.
