Luigi Mangione’s Attorneys Push to Bar Gun, Journal and Arrest Video

Nearly one year after Brian Thompson — former CEO of UnitedHealthcare — was fatally shot on a Manhattan sidewalk, his alleged killer Luigi Mangione returned to court for a critical pre-trial hearing.

Prosecutors presented police body-cam footage from Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, footage of the original crime, the 911 call that led to his capture — along with the backpack police say held the 9 mm gun and a notebook outlining his intentions.

Evidence Hearing Marks 1-Year Anniversary of CEO Killing

Mangione, 27, who pleaded not guilty to both state and federal murder charges, is seeking to have that evidence barred — arguing the search of his bag was unconstitutional, and that police questioned him before advising him of his rights.

What the Prosecution Says — Links, Confession & Physical Evidence

In court, an officer testified he recognized Mangione as the suspect after the man removed his mask — the photo of a wanted suspect had been widely circulated.

Surveillance from the McDonald’s and earlier from the sidewalk shooting show a man matching Mangione’s description carrying a backpack, brandishing a handgun with a silencer, then walking away. Prosecutors argue the items found — gun, silencer parts, notebook, fake ID — tie him directly to the crime.

The 911 call from the restaurant — played in court — reportedly came from a manager who recognized him as the wanted suspect, prompting the officers’ intervention.

If admitted, this evidence would form the backbone of the prosecution’s case and likely be shown to jurors at trial.

What the Defense Argues — Illegality, Rights Violations & Suppression Requests

Mangione’s legal team has filed motions to suppress large portions of the evidence. Their arguments focus on two main points:

• The search of his backpack allegedly occurred without a proper warrant.
• More critically, police began questioning him roughly 20 minutes before reading him his Miranda rights — potentially making his statements inadmissible.

If the judge agrees to suppress the gun, notebook, arrest video, and statements, the prosecution’s case could lose much of its evidentiary strength — which might seriously affect whether a trial proceeds, or what charges could stick.

Bigger Picture — Charges, Public Pressure & What’s At Stake

Mangione is facing serious charges: second-degree murder and multiple weapons counts at the state level, and federal murder charges that could carry a death penalty.

Beyond the murder itself, the case has already triggered national debate — about corporate executive security, gun control (the weapon is said to be 3D-printed), and pre-trial rights. The fight over evidence admissibility — legal technicalities, but powerful ones — has reignited those debates.

The hearing could last several more days, and the judge’s decisions are likely to shape whether the murder trial moves forward — and what’s left of the prosecution’s case.

You might also want to read: US Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Luigi Mangione