Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan a year ago this week, appeared in court as his lawyers challenge the admissibility of key evidence in his case.
Mr Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal murder charges, which carry the possibility of the death penalty.
The pre-trial hearing could last several days, as defense attorneys are expected to call numerous witnesses, including those from Pennsylvania where he was arrested at a McDonald's.
A judge threw out state terrorism-related murder charges against Mr Mangione in September, stating that prosecutors had failed to establish adequate evidence.
His legal team aims to convince the judge to exclude critical evidence, which includes a gun and a notebook that prosecutors assert outlines his motive for the murder.
Mr Mangione was arrested shortly after allegedly shooting Mr Thompson, a father of two, as he approached an investors' conference in Manhattan on December 4, 2024.
This week’s hearing focuses on whether the prosecutors illegally obtained evidence from Mr Mangione upon his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and whether this evidence should be excluded.
The defense is pushing to suppress statements made to the police after the arrest, which they claim were given before he was read his rights.
Contentions also include the exclusion of a 9mm handgun alleged to match the murder weapon, as well as writings discovered in Mr Mangione's backpack, which they argue were gotten without a warrant.
Prosecutors allege that Mr Mangione's notebook contained discussions about a 'greed-fueled health insurance cartel'. However, the defense insists that the search of the backpack was unconstitutional.
If successful in excluding both pieces of evidence—key to establishing motive and identifying the murder weapon—it would represent a significant victory for Mr Mangione’s defense.
Nevertheless, legal experts suggest that the likelihood of excluding such evidence is low, given existing exceptions to the requirement for search warrants under specific circumstances, particularly in the case of pursuing violent suspects.
Other evidence presented includes DNA or fingerprints found discarded near the crime scene, further complicating Mangione's defense.
Testimony during the hearing has revealed details about the police's initial investigation, including security camera footage and witness accounts that link Mangione to the scene.
The case remains dynamic, with the next steps hinging on the outcome of the pre-trial hearings.
