NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday for a crucial hearing that could influence the direction of his case regarding the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His legal team is working to prevent the government from pursuing the death penalty.
Mangione's defense argues that his case has been marred by sensationalism, as authorities turned his arrest in December 2024 into a media spectacle, publicly expressing their desire for execution prior to his official indictment. They contend this pretrial publicity has compromised the fairness of his upcoming trial.
In addition to challenging the death penalty's application, his lawyers are seeking to dismiss the firearm murder charge due to alleged legal deficiencies. They assert that the use of certain evidence obtained during his arrest should also be excluded, claiming it was collected unlawfully.
In response, federal prosecutors maintain that the murder charge is valid and assert that concerns regarding pretrial attention can be managed through careful juror vetting. They argue that the necessary legal grounds for the charges exist, despite the public's reaction to the case.
Mangione has entered a plea of not guilty to both federal and state murder charges, which carry life imprisonment as a potential sentence. The hearing on Friday will be his first appearance in Manhattan federal court since his arraignment in April 2025, and it is anticipated that U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett may also establish a timeline for trial proceedings.
Mangione’s case has garnered a following; supporters have turned out wearing green and demonstrating their backing for him outside the courtroom.
The nature of the evidence from his arrest is particularly contentious, including a firearm linked to Thompson's death and a notebook allegedly containing plans against health executives. Mangione's defense is pressing for a separate hearing to evaluate the circumstances surrounding this evidence collection.
The trial is also poised against the backdrop of comments made by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who indicated the government would seek the death penalty due to the calculated nature of the crime. Mangione’s attorneys argue that her statements and actions surrounding the case have fundamentally undermined his civil rights, labeling them as politically charged rather than genuinely prosecutorial.
This hearing marks another significant step as both legal teams prepare for what could be a high-stakes trial regarding the murder that has captivated the nation.
