> At a Glance
> – Luigi Mangione returned to federal court Friday as his legal team seeks to bar the death penalty.
> – Defense claims pretrial publicity and “Marvel movie” arrest spectacle tainted the case.
> – Prosecutors insist the murder charge is sound and publicity can be managed through jury screening.
> Why it matters: The hearing could decide whether Mangione faces capital punishment for the alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Luigi Mangione appeared Friday in Manhattan federal court for a high-stakes hearing that could determine if the government can pursue the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Defense Challenges Death Penalty Bid
Mangione’s attorneys argue authorities poisoned the case by staging a dramatic December 2024 arrest and publicly calling for his execution before indictment. They contend the spectacle violated his rights and prejudiced potential jurors.
If the death penalty bid survives, the defense wants the firearm-murder charge dismissed as legally defective. Prosecutors counter that the charge is valid and that intense media coverage does not create a constitutional crisis.
Evidence Dispute
The defense also seeks to suppress items found in Mangione’s backpack during arrest:
- A gun police say matches the murder weapon
- A notebook allegedly detailing plans to “wack” an insurance executive
Officers lacked a warrant, the defense claims, rendering the search illegal. Prosecutors say the search was justified for officer safety and the evidence would have been discovered anyway.
Case Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Brian Thompson shot | Dec. 4, 2024 |
| Mangione arrested | Dec. 9, 2024, in Altoona, PA |
| State terrorism charges tossed | September 2025 |
| Federal arraignment | April 25, 2025 |
| Latest court hearing | Friday |
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett did not set a trial date. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state murder counts, each carrying potential life sentences.
Public Reaction
Dozens of supporters, some wearing green and carrying solidarity signs, attended the hearing. Mangione has become a symbol for critics of the health-insurance industry.
Attorney General Pam Bondi last year ordered federal prosecutors to seek death, calling the killing a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination.” Defense lawyers say her subsequent media blitz tainted the grand jury and turned the case political.
Prosecutors reject claims that Bondi’s past lobbying work for a firm tied to UnitedHealthcare’s parent created a conflict.
Key Takeaways
- Mangione’s team wants the death penalty off the table, citing prejudicial publicity.
- Prosecutors maintain the murder charge is solid and publicity can be handled at jury selection.
- A ruling on evidence suppression could shape the trial’s scope.
The court will next decide whether further hearings are needed on the contested evidence.
