Luigi Mangione is due in federal court Friday for a pivotal hearing in his fight to bar the government from seeking the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione’s lawyers contend that authorities prejudiced his case by turning his December 2024 arrest into a 'Marvel movie' spectacle and by publicly declaring their desire to see him executed even before he was formally indicted.
They argue that the charge which led to the death penalty option — murder by firearm — is legally flawed.
Federal prosecutors say Mangione’s lawyers are wrong, asserting that the murder charge is legally sufficient and that 'pretrial publicity, even when intense' is not a constitutional crisis. They maintain that potential jurors can be carefully questioned regarding their knowledge of the case.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison.
Friday’s hearing, Mangione’s first trip to Manhattan federal court since his April 25 arraignment, is also expected to cover the defense’s bid to exclude certain evidence. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett has said she also plans to set a trial date.
A cause célèbre for those frustrated with the health insurance industry, Mangione’s court appearances have drawn dozens of supporters, some wearing green clothing or carrying signs in solidarity.
The stakes are high; if convicted, Mangione could face life in prison, which has raised significant public interest and concern over the judicial process associated with the case.
