A pre-trial hearing for Luigi Mangione, accused in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has provided new details regarding his December 9, 2024, arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Testimony and newly released body camera footage focused on the circumstances of Mr. Mangione's apprehension and the evidence recovered, which his defense team is seeking to exclude from trial. Mr. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges, which carry the possibility of the death penalty.
Pre-Trial Hearing Focus
The current pre-trial proceedings center on defense efforts to exclude specific evidence from the upcoming trial, which remains unscheduled. This contested evidence includes items found in Mr. Mangione's backpack at the time of his arrest and statements he made to law enforcement.
Arrest Details Emerge
Mr. Mangione, 27, was arrested at a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a five-day search subsequent to the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan. Testimony during the hearing indicated that a customer tip initiated the arrest.
- A McDonald's employee reported a customer's observation that a patron resembled the suspect in the United Healthcare CEO shooting.
- The patron was described as wearing a black hoodie, a medical mask, and a tan beanie.
- The employee noted the patron's eyebrows as a visible and distinguishing feature.
Altoona Lieutenant William Hanelly testified that an officer initially responded to the tip with sarcasm, considering it improbable that the suspect from New York City would be in Altoona. However, officers at the scene observed a resemblance to images circulated by the New York Police Department. An officer was reportedly heard stating in a phone call, "It's him. I'm not kidding. He's real nervous. It's him."
Prosecutors also presented notecards, attributed to Mr. Mangione, one of which reportedly included the instruction: "Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows."
Police Interaction and Identification
Body camera footage played in court depicted Mr. Mangione consuming a meal at McDonald's while officers positioned themselves around him awaiting additional personnel. Mr. Mangione observed the videos from the defense table, accompanied by his legal team.
Police body camera videos documented Mr. Mangione's interactions with officers on December 9, with background Christmas music audible in the footage.
- When officers first approached Mr. Mangione, they requested he lower his mask, which he did.
- He provided the name "Mark Rosario" and presented a New Jersey identification card that police later determined to be false.
- Lieutenant Hanelly stated that the false identification provided probable cause for Mr. Mangione's arrest.
- In the footage, Mr. Mangione is heard disclosing his real first name, Luigi.
- Another body camera video shows an officer informing Mr. Mangione that he was under investigation for providing false identification, after which Mr. Mangione was seen placing his hands on a wall as officers placed him under arrest.
- A photograph of Mr. Mangione with his hands behind his back was taken after the arrest.
Contested Evidence from Backpack
The pre-trial hearing addressed items found in Mr. Mangione's backpack at the time of his arrest.
- Mr. Mangione's defense lawyers have argued for the exclusion of a 9mm handgun and a notebook from the trial, asserting that officers lacked a warrant to search the backpack.
- Prosecutors allege that the notebook contained writings by Mr. Mangione regarding "the deadly, greed-fuelled health insurance cartel."
- Lieutenant Hanelly testified that exceptions for warrants exist.
- Officer Christy Wasser, who searched the backpack, was questioned by defense counsel regarding the basis for the search. Officer Wasser responded, "No, we search everyone," when asked if the search was conducted because she believed he was the New York City shooter.