Luigi Mangione murder case takes turn after judge’s evidence ruling

Judge allows gun and writings in Luigi Mangione murder trial but suppresses key evidence from arrest search

A New York judge has ruled that key pieces of evidence, including a gun and writings, will be admissible in the state murder trial of Luigi Mangione, who is charged in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Judge Gregory Carro determined that certain items recovered from Mangione’s backpack during his arrest at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s cannot be used in court. These suppressed items include a magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip, which the court found were obtained through an “improper and warrantless search.”

However, the judge ruled that other evidence seized later at a police station will be allowed, including an alleged firearm and a notebook. Prosecutors will also be permitted to use statements made after Mangione was taken into custody, while some early questioning by officers has been excluded.

Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, days after the December 2024 shooting of Thompson in Manhattan following a nationwide manhunt. He has pleaded not guilty to state charges including second-degree murder, stalking and firearms offences. He has also denied separate federal charges linked to the same case.

The defence team had pushed to exclude all evidence obtained during the McDonald’s stop, arguing that police acted unlawfully when they searched Mangione without a warrant. Prosecutors maintained the search and questioning were legal.

While the ruling removes some evidence from trial, prosecutors will still be able to present what are considered central pieces of the case. Mangione’s state trial is scheduled to begin in September.