A pivotal ruling is anticipated today from a New York judge concerning whether items taken from Luigi Mangione’s backpack during his arrest at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s can be used as evidence in his upcoming trial.
Meanwhile, a federal judge handling a separate case against Mangione has already determined that the search was lawful, allowing the evidence to be presented in the federal proceedings.
The items in question include what prosecutors claim is the murder weapon, a 3D-printed silencer, a counterfeit ID allegedly used to book into a Manhattan hostel, and journals that reportedly contain criticisms of the health insurance industry.
Mangione, aged 28, faces accusations of fatally shooting Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of UnitedHealthcare, as Thompson walked near a Hilton hotel in Manhattan en route to a business meeting on December 4, 2024.
On December 16, 2025, Luigi Mangione appeared in Manhattan’s State Supreme Court for a hearing on whether to suppress evidence in his murder case. (Photo by Seth Wenig/AP)
After the incident, Mangione allegedly made a getaway on a bicycle, eventually reaching Altoona, Pennsylvania. There, he was recognized by customers and staff from a wanted poster, leading to a 911 call five days after the shooting.
Authorities searched the bag multiple times after Mangione’s arrest in the eight hours before obtaining a search warrant, defense lawyers wrote in a letter to the court. They argued the search was improper because once Mangione was arrested, he wasn’t in control of the bag, so police should have obtained a warrant ifrst.
Luigi Mangione shouts as officers restrain him while arriving for his extradition hearing at Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa., on Dec. 10, 2024. Mangione is the prime suspect in the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week. (David Dee Delgado/Fox News Digital)
The defense has characterized the search of his bag as a violation of his constitutional rights. They also asked for statements he made between his arrest on Dec. 9 and extradition to New York 10 days later to be thrown out.
Prosecutors asked New York Judge Gregory Carro to deny the motion, arguing Altoona police acted reasonably when they searched Mangione’s bag after arresting him.
Evidence including Luigi Mangione’s gun was presented by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office during a suppression hearing in the investigation of the murder of UNC CEO Brian Thompson. (DOJ)
The court already held several days of hearings on the matter and heard testimony from 17 witnesses.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all state and federal charges.
In New York, the top charge is second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He faces six more weapons related charges and one for allegedly possessing a fake ID.
Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, is shown in an undated portrait provided by UnitedHealth. He was shot and killed on his way to an investor conference in New York City in what prosecutors described as a politically motivated assassination. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via AP)
The judge previously dismissed terrorism-related charges that could have put Mangione in prison for life without parole if convicted.
The state trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.
In Mangione’s federal case, which is a separate legal proceeding, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled that the backpack evidence could stand in his federal trial in a Jan. 30 order, while also dealing a blow to the prosecution and taking the death penalty off the table.
Luigi Mangione talks with a police officer in Altoona, Pa. (DOJ)
Thompson, a father of two from Minnesota, had come to New York City to meet with Wall Street investors. Surveillance video shows the last moments of his life — when a gunman approached him from behind on the sidewalk and opened fire.
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