Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson in New York City in December 2024, plans to use a psychiatric defence in his upcoming state murder trial.
A New York judge said Mangione’s lawyers intend to argue that he was experiencing an “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of the alleged killing.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges connected to Thompson’s death.
His state trial is scheduled to begin on September 8.
Judge Gregory Carro said the defence informed the court that it would seek to establish that Mangione was in a state of extreme emotional disturbance when the shooting occurred.
Under New York law, defendants charged with murder can argue that such a condition reduced their responsibility for their actions.
If a jury accepts that argument, Mangione could be convicted of manslaughter rather than murder.
A manslaughter conviction generally carries a lighter sentence than a murder conviction.
The defence differs from an insanity plea because it does not seek to establish that a defendant should be sentenced to a psychiatric facility instead of prison.
The judge also said court records related to the defence strategy would be unsealed.
Mangione was present in court for the discussion.
The case stems from the fatal shooting of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024.
The killing drew widespread public attention after footage of the incident circulated online.
Authorities have previously said words written on ammunition recovered in the case referenced criticism of health insurance claim practices.
Mangione, 28, is also facing federal stalking charges connected to the case.
Those charges carry a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.
His federal trial is scheduled to begin on October 13.
Earlier this year, federal murder and firearms charges against him were dismissed on technical grounds, removing the possibility of a death penalty sentence.
Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was attending an annual investor conference when he was killed.