Luigi Mangione's evidence suppression hearings resume in NYC following last week's illness
Luigi Mangione, charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year in New York City, is apparently feeling better and back in court Monday.
Mangione's defense attorneys are trying to have certain evidence withheld from his upcoming state trial, arguing the evidence was illegally obtained.
So far, seven witnesses have testified over three days of pre-trial hearings. Court was postponed Friday because Mangione was sick.
Mangione back in court Monday for evidence suppression hearings
He was led into court shortly before 9:45 a.m. Monday, wearing a gray suit and blue shirt. He appeared to scan the gallery while his handcuffs were removed, then sat down and spoke with his attorneys.
The first witness called on the stand was Blair County First Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith, followed by Altoona Police Officer Christy Wasser.
Smith testified about Mangione's arrest on forgery charges in Pennsylvania and the search of his belongings, as well as the initial complaint brought against Mangione in Pennsylvania, listing multiple counts including forgery, giving false ID to law enforcement, firearms carried without a license and tampering with records. She testified Mangione had his preliminary arraignment the same day he was arrested.
Smith also approved two search warrants allowing officers to seize his bag, digital devices and notes found inside the bag and turn them over to the NYPD. The prosecution said the ensured evidence could be legally transferred to another agency.
Mangione's defense team objected to the prosecution using the terms "execution" and "manifesto" in reference to Thompson's killing and Mangione's notebook. The judge said while they have no impact during an evidentiary hearing, that's not language to be used at trial.
Wasser answered questions about the body camera video showing his arrest at a McDonald's. Wasser said she put on gloves to search Mangione's bag after he was placed under arrest. On bodycam video, another officer asked Mangione if there was anything in the bag they should be aware of, and Mangione said he was just going to remain silent.
Wasser then searched his bag, recovering his knife, a sandwich, Mangione's passport. She later pulled out a loaded magazine for a gun that she said was wrapped in his underwear in the bag.
Wasser said she was checking to make sure there were no bombs in the bag.
In an interesting moment, bodycam footage showed officers debating if they could legally search Mangione's backpack. Officers urges they get a warrant given the "severity" of the case, and another saying "we don't need one."
The bag was brought to the station for a more thorough search, where officers discovered a pistol and silencer for the first time.
Officers also pulled out some computer equipment from a bag that had RF protection built in.
What we learned during last week's evidence hearings
The Manhattan district attorney's office presented new evidence photos, including a pocket knife with zip-ties, a USB necklace, a Greyhound bus pass under a fake name and the clothing he wore at the time of his arrest.
Prosecutors also shared a handwritten "TO-DO" list found in his pocket, with items like "Best Buy," "USB" and "Digital Cam" crossed out and a "Future TO-DO" list, with the phrases "Intel Check" and "Survival Kit."
Police arrested the 27-year-old on Dec. 9, 2024 at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania after staff and customers called 911.
Last week, the 911 call, body camera video and interrogation video were played in court, along with testimony from the officers who arrested Mangione and prison guards who spoke with him while he was in solitary confinement.
Mangione's defense is trying to suppress critical evidence, including everything taken from his backpack and the alleged murder weapon, arguing officers questioned and searched him before reading his Miranda warning.
Prosecutors argue the officers acted lawfully, given Mangione had already been arrested for forgery and gave a fake name.
Mangione also faces a separate federal case in the killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel just over a year ago. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.