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Luigi Mangione to Assert Psychiatric Defense in State Murder Trial
A judge ruled that Luigi Mangione can present evidence of extreme emotional disturbance at his state trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The defense strategy could result in a manslaughter conviction rather than murder if accepted by a jury.
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Los Angeles TimesAudio version
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A New York judge ruled Wednesday that Luigi Mangione can present a psychiatric defense at his upcoming state murder trial in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Judge Gregory Carro said Mangione's lawyers notified the court they intend to argue he was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance when the shooting occurred.
The defense would admit the killing took place but seek to show mitigating circumstances that could lead a jury to convict on manslaughter instead of murder.
The approach differs from an insanity defense, which would send a defendant to a psychiatric facility rather than prison. A successful emotional disturbance claim would reduce potential prison time if Mangione is convicted. Carro's decision followed a sealed hearing held two weeks earlier at the defense's request. The judge said he will unseal related records and transcripts.
“The reasons for the sealing was to give the defense an opportunity to determine whether they were going forth with that defense and the nature of that defense." — Judge Gregory Carro Mangione's attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo argued that unsealing the materials would harm her client's federal case, where the same defense is unavailable. His federal trial on stalking charges begins Oct. 13. He faces life in prison if convicted in either proceeding. The judge also dismissed a gun magazine charge after ruling the evidence inadmissible because it was recovered during an initial search of Mangione's backpack. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges stemming from the Dec. 4, 2024, shooting outside a Manhattan hotel. Thompson was shot from behind by a masked gunman while walking to UnitedHealth Group's investor conference. Police recovered ammunition marked with the words "delay," "deny" and "depose." Mangione, 28, was arrested five days later at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. At a May hearing, the judge allowed prosecutors to introduce a 3D-printed gun and notebook recovered from Mangione as evidence.”
