Luigi Mangione appears in NYC court, fights to exclude specific evidence from trial

NEW YORK CITY - Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year in Midtown Manhattan, appeared in court on Monday morning.

Mangione could be seen wearing a suit and striped shirt underneath. 

What we know:

Prosecutors argue the search of the bag was necessary for safety reasons, while the defense insists police needed a warrant. 

The judge’s upcoming decisions could determine what evidence is allowed in both the state case and the federal case, which has its own hearing set for Jan. 9. Depending on how these rulings go, Mangione could ultimately face anything from life in prison to the federal death penalty.

What lawyers are saying

What they're saying:

Defense attorney Arthur Aidala, who is not involved in the case but has been closely following it, told Good Day New York courtroom demand has reached unprecedented levels. "It’s all the true crime bloggers… They take up all the seats in the courtroom," he said. 

Aidala explained that today’s MAP hearing focuses on "the evidence they’ve recovered from him… his writings, which are important because it gives you his state of mind," as well as the gun, the backpack and other items.

He also outlined the defense strategy, saying, "The defense is saying, hey, you’re allowed to grab the backpack, but you weren’t allowed to look at it until you had a warrant — and they didn’t."

What happened on Monday?

What's next:

According to Aidala, the first hearing on the calendar is a Mapp hearing, which focuses on how investigators obtained key evidence, including Mangione’s alleged writings, backpack and the gun recovered at the time of his arrest. Prosecutors argue the search was justified under safety exceptions, while defense attorneys say officers needed a warrant before opening the bag.

Later this week, the court will hold a Huntley hearing, evaluating whether statements Mangione made to law enforcement should be suppressed. His attorneys say police spoke with him for 17 minutes before advising him of his rights and that he was never free to leave, given the large police presence.

Judge Carroll, a longtime jurist known for overseeing high-profile trials — will preside over the proceedings. Legal experts expect rigorous arguments from both sides, given the veteran prosecutors and well-known defense team representing Mangione.

Mangione remains held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he reviews case materials on a laptop. According to Aidala, he has gained a large following, with supporters expected to fill several rows of the courtroom.

The hearings are expected to continue into Thursday, with a possible ruling later this week or in written form due to intense public scrutiny.

What are Mangione’s charges in New York?

Dig deeper:

A judge back in December dismissed terrorism charges against Mangione in New York state's case over the killing of Thompson, but he kept the state's second-degree murder charges against him. Mangione faces charges of:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, as class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, four counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count

Pennsylvania charges

• Possession of fraudulent document (ID), two counts
• Possession of a firearm without a license, one count
• Forgery, one count
• Possession of a firearm, one count

Federal charges

• Stalking, two counts
• Murder through use of a firearm, one count
• Using a firearm equipped with a silencer while committing a crime of violence, one count

Timeline:

The timeline of events leading up to Thompson's murder in New York City and Mangione's arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, paints a chilling picture of premeditated violence. Here's a detailed breakdown of the events, according to an indictment released back in December:

Mangione arrives in New York City (Nov. 24)

• According to the indictment, on Nov. 24, Mangione arrived at Port Authority on a bus and checked into the HI New York City Hostel on the Upper West Side, using a fake New Jersey ID under the name "Mark Rosario."

• Mangione extended his stay multiple times, raising suspicions about his intentions.

Mangione stops at Starbucks before the murder (Dec. 4)

• According to the indictment, at 5:34 a.m., Mangione departed the hostel and traveled to Midtown Manhattan using an e-bike. His route led him to the area surrounding the Hilton Hotel.
• Between 5:52 a.m. and 6:45 a.m., Mangione was seen walking near and around the Hilton Hotel at 6th Avenue and West 54th Street. Surveillance footage captured his movements, though his purpose remained unclear at the time.
• At 6:15 a.m., Mangione stopped at a Starbucks (1290 6th Ave.) to purchase a water bottle and granola bars.
• Between 6:38 a.m. and 6:44 a.m., Mangione was observed standing silently against a wall on the north side of West 54th Street, directly across from the Hilton. He is fully masked, with his hood up, making his presence more discreet and raising suspicions about his intentions.

Brian Thompson is shot outside Hilton Hotel (Dec. 4)

• According to the indictment, at 6:45 a.m., Mangione crossed the street to the Hilton Hotel and approached Thompson from behind. Armed with a 9-millimeter 3D-printed ghost gun equipped with a silencer, Mangione allegedly shot Thompson twice – once in the back and once in the leg.

• After the shooting, Mangione fled the scene, heading northeast on West 54th Street, the indictment said. He then abandoned the e-bike and continued his escape uptown.

Mangione flees New York City (Dec. 4)

• Mangione hailed a taxi after abandoning the e-bike. The taxi dropped him off at West 178th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Northern Manhattan. From there, he fled the state of New York, evading authorities for several days.

United Healthcare CEO is pronounced dead (Dec. 4)

• Thompson was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital after being shot. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. The coroner confirmed that the cause of death was gunshot wounds.
• Authorities found two shell casings near the scene, each inscribed with the words "DENY" and "DEPOSE". Additionally, a bullet retrieved from the scene had the word "DELAY" written on it.

Mangione arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania (Dec. 9)

• On Dec. 9, Mangione was spotted at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Authorities quickly apprehend him, ending his days on the run.

• During the arrest, police recovered a 9-millimeter handgun with a 3D-printed receiver, two ammunition magazines, multiple live cartridges, a homemade silencer, and the fake New Jersey ID used at the hostel.

Luigi Mangione TrialCEO killed in NYC