Luigi Mangione is set to appear in court on Tuesday as his legal team fights to dismiss state murder charges related to the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The defense argues that facing both state and federal prosecutions amounts to double jeopardy, a violation of his rights.
The upcoming court session will also determine the trial schedule and whether the state or federal case will proceed first. This marks Mangione’s first appearance in the state case since February, drawing attention from supporters who see him as a symbol of frustration with the health insurance system. At his previous hearings, many stood by him wearing green, reminiscent of the Luigi video game character.
If the state case moves forward, Mangione’s lawyers plan to challenge terrorism charges and block the use of evidence obtained during his arrest, which included a handgun and a notebook detailing his intentions. Prosecutors are pressing for clarity on a potential insanity defense or psychiatric evidence.
The judge, Gregory Carro, may address these issues during the upcoming hearing or defer decisions to a later date. Mangione, who denies the charges, faces multiple counts of murder, including terrorism-related allegations stemming from the fatal shooting of Thompson in December 2024. The incident, captured on surveillance video, showed a masked gunman targeting the CEO outside a New York hotel.
Following his arrest in Pennsylvania days later, Mangione has been detained in a federal jail in Brooklyn. The legal battle over the dual prosecutions has raised concerns about defending against both cases simultaneously. The state charges focus on intimidating insurance professionals and investors, while the federal charges center on the stalking of Thompson.
The federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for what they describe as a political act of violence and a calculated assassination that shocked the nation. Mangione’s handwritten diary entries have been key to the case, with prosecutors citing his grievances against the health insurance industry and admiration for infamous figures like the Unabomber.
His writings, deemed by prosecutors as a call for revolutionary change in healthcare, are presented as evidence of his intent to bring about industry transformation through violence. The legal battle continues as Mangione maintains his innocence amidst a complex web of legal proceedings.