Mangione’s Lawyers Drop Psychiatric Defence in Murder Trial

Fri Jun 19 2026 17:33:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a twist, Luigi Mangione’s legal team has dropped a psychiatric defence that could have led to a shorter sentence in the murder case of a UnitedHealthcare CEO.

Luigi Mangione, 28, who shot UnitedHealthcare chief Brian Thompson in December 2024, has abandoned the psychiatric defence he was planning for his state murder trial. The change was made just a day after telling Judge Gregory Carro that Mangione would show “extreme emotional disturbance.” The defence could have resulted in a manslaughter conviction and a lesser sentence, but the attorneys withdrew it before the August 11 evidence deadline. Upcoming court dates include a hearing on August 11 and the state trial set for September 8.

Mangione’s Lawyers Drop Psychiatric Defence in Murder Trial

Luigi Mangione, 28, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, has dropped a psychiatric defence that could have lessened his sentence.

The attorneys had only a day to inform Judge Gregory Carro that they would show Mangione was suffering from “extreme emotional disturbance.” They withdrew the argument ahead of the August 11 deadline to file evidence with prosecutors.

Had the defence been accepted, a jury might have convicted Mangione of manslaughter instead of murder, potentially leading to a shorter prison term.

The state trial is set for September 8, and Mangione faces federal stalking charges that could carry a life sentence.