Defense disputes evidence in murder of US health insurance CEO

The legal team representing 27-year-old Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering a prominent health insurance executive in New York, appeared in court for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, aiming to prevent certain evidence from being used by prosecutors.

Mangione faces charges of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Brian Thompson, 50, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the nations largest health insurance provider. Thompson was fatally shot on a Manhattan street on December 4, 2024.

Originating from an affluent Boston family, Mangione has drawn national attention, symbolizing both frustration with the U.S. commercial healthcare system and concerns over increasing violent attacks on public figures. His attorneys have requested a preliminary hearing in the case filed by the State of New York.

Mangione was apprehended at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania just days after the shooting. Authorities reported discovering a silenced handgun and a notebook containing grievances against the healthcare industry in his backpack. Investigators noted that shell casings found at the crime scene corresponded to the weapon he possessed.

However, Mangiones defense argues that his legal rights were infringed. In a motion reviewed by AFP, the lawyers assert that the backpacks contents must be excluded because law enforcement did not secure a search warrant prior to searching the bag. They further contend that Mangiones statements to police at the McDonalds should be suppressed as they resulted from custodial questioning without Miranda warnings.

Previously, in September, a judge dismissed two terrorism-related charges against Mangione, but he remains charged with second-degree murder, which carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment without parole. He also faces additional federal charges.

Author: Sophia Brooks