By Sarah Yáñez-Richards
New York, US (EFE).- Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthCare executive Brian Thompson, appeared in a New York courtroom on Monday as prosecutors presented key evidence for the first time, while his defense sought to exclude his diary notes and other materials from the state murder case.
Mangione, who faces both federal and state charges, including a potential death penalty, entered the Manhattan courtroom in a gray suit rather than his Brooklyn detention center uniform.
Throughout the delayed hearing, postponed due to technical issues, Mangione took notes and carefully watched monitors showing evidence, including video of a man shooting Thompson with a handgun.
Prosecutors also played surveillance footage of Mangione’s Dec. 2024 arrest at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania and the 911 call placed by the restaurant manager.
“There’s a customer here that other customers were suspicious about, and he looks like the killer of the New York CEO,” the manager tells dispatchers, noting only Mangione’s eyebrows were visible.
Police recovered a 9mm pistol, personal items, and a notebook from Mangione’s backpack at the time of his arrest.
According to prosecutors, the notebook included writings expressing an intent to “attack” a health insurance executive.
Defense attorneys argue that officers opened the backpack without a warrant and did not request judicial authorization until seven hours later. They say this renders the search illegal and the evidence inadmissible in the state case.
They are also seeking to suppress any statements Mangione allegedly made before his extradition to New York on Dec. 19, arguing he was not properly advised of his rights.
The courtroom was filled with reporters and a group of Mangione supporters, mostly young women, wearing green shirts emblazoned with his face or messages such as: “Without a warrant, it’s not a search. It’s a violation. Luigi Mangione deserves a fair trial.”
Monday’s session featured the first public showing of several crucial pieces of evidence, including the McDonald’s arrest video and the 911 recording.
Thompson, 50, was killed by a single shot, triggering a five-day nationwide manhunt before Mangione was taken into custody without resistance.
Even if the judge sides with the defense, prosecutors say they have additional evidence, including Mangione’s DNA or fingerprints on objects discarded by the shooter near the crime scene, according to court filings.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty in the federal case, where he faces 25 years to life if convicted. and in the state case, which could result in the death penalty.
Neither trial has been scheduled.
Monday’s hearing, which may last more than a week, could extend into Thursday, the anniversary of Thompson’s killing. EFE
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