Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December, appeared in New York state court Dec. 1 for pretrial hearings that could shape which evidence jurors see at his upcoming trial.
Mangione’s defense attorneys are seeking to exclude key evidence they argue was obtained through constitutional violations. According to CBS News, the defense is arguing that law enforcement failed to properly provide Mangione of his Miranda rights before questioning him and conducted a warrantless search of his backpack while he was detained last year. The backpack allegedly contained a firearm, ammunition and a notebook prosecutors say contains writings implicating him in the killing.
Mangione’s attorneys have also moved to exclude the notebook entries from pretrial hearings, arguing their disclosure could prejudice potential jurors, according to CBS.
During the Dec. 1 hearing, prosecutors played the 911 call that led to Mangione’s arrest at an Altoona, Pa., McDonald’s, featuring testimony from the manager who spoke with dispatchers after a customer recognized him.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has denied the defense’s claims, maintaining that law enforcement acted lawfully. Judge Gregory Carro has set aside several days to hear arguments.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to nine state charges, including second-degree murder, as well as four federal charges that carry the possibility of the death penalty. In September, Mr. Carro dismissed two state terrorism charges, ruling that while the killing was premeditated, the evidence failed to establish that Mangione committed the crime to coerce civilians or influence government policy. The judge also denied a defense request to pause the state case while federal proceedings advance.
No trial date has been set for either case.
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