In brief
Luigi Mangione's pretrial hearing ended with the judge set to rule on the admissibility of evidence in May. The prosecution has presented extensive witness testimonies, while Mangione's defense seeks to exclude crucial items found in his possession during an arrest, arguing illegal search procedures.
NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione's pretrial hearing wrapped up Thursday, with a judge planning to decide by May what evidence the prosecution can utilize in his New York trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
After three weeks and nearly 20 witnesses—most of whom were police officers involved in Mangione's December 2024 arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania—the prosecution rested its case. In contrast, Mangione's lawyers opted not to present any witnesses.
Judge Carro gave Mangione’s lawyers until January 29 to summarize their arguments, while the prosecution is due to submit its arguments by March 5. The judge is expected to make a ruling on May 18.
Mangione, 27, is contesting the inclusion of critical evidence, including a gun and a notebook that prosecutors claim links him directly to Thompson's shooting on December 4, 2024, in Manhattan. Prosecutors assert that the 9 mm handgun found in Mangione's backpack is the one used in the murder and that the notebook contains indicators of intent to kill a health insurance executive.
Defense lawyers argue that evidence discovered in Mangione's backpack should be deemed inadmissible because police did not have a search warrant at the time of the arrest and allege there were no justifiable grounds for a warrantless search.
Prosecutors maintain the search was legitimate, conducted alongside the arrest, aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing any harm to officers.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal murder charges. The current pretrial hearing pertains only to the state case, while his defense is also challenging evidence in the federal case, where prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty.
Mangione's arrest was precipitated by witnesses who recognized him from surveillance footage at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles from Manhattan, leading to a 911 call indicating he resembled the shooter from the New York case.
