The high-profile case of Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, takes another turn this week as he returns to New York State Supreme Court.
The judge is expected to rule on key defense motions that could shape the future of the trial.
Mangione’s lawyers are asking the court to dismiss the state’s murder indictment, claiming it violates the Constitution’s double jeopardy clause.
Their argument stems from the fact that the defendant also faces federal charges for the same crime.
In addition, the defense team wants to suppress evidence collected during his arrest, along with statements he made to police.
Thompson was gunned down in December 2024 while walking toward a Midtown Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare was hosting its annual investor conference.
The killing shocked the healthcare industry and set off a nationwide manhunt.
Investigators later revealed that bullets recovered from the crime scene were inscribed with words like “delay,” “deny,” and “depose.”
Authorities tied the case to a troubling rise in politically motivated violence across the United States.
This includes the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, which fueled growing debate over extremist-linked attacks.
Mangione’s attorneys insist the federal trial should be held first, arguing that a state conviction would make finding an impartial jury impossible later.
“If the state proceeds before the federal case, the jury pool will be irreparably tainted,” the defense argued.
They have also accused prosecutors of overstepping boundaries by obtaining Mangione’s medical records without proper authorization.
Furthermore, they allege that state and federal officials worked together to obstruct their client’s defense.
One of the most contentious issues in the case is the terrorism enhancement.
Prosecutors maintain that the killing was “a calculated political message” backed by Mangione’s alleged writings.
However, his attorneys strongly disagree, saying those writings were personal and never meant for public release.
“The government leaked private notes to paint him as a terrorist,” the defense team said, arguing that investigators exaggerated the case beyond its reality.
They insist the terrorism charges should be dropped because the law was designed for attacks against multiple civilians, not a single victim.
The court will also decide whether to suppress items seized from Mangione’s backpack, which reportedly contained a firearm, ammunition, and documents.
In addition, judges will review whether his post-arrest statements, made in Pennsylvania, can be admitted in trial.
Meanwhile, if convicted in state court, Mangione faces life in prison.
