A New York judge ruled Monday that prosecutors may use a gun and notebook allegedly linked to Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, rejecting defense claims that the evidence was obtained illegally before a search warrant was secured.
Judge Gregory Carro’s decision allows prosecutors to present what they describe as a possible murder weapon and writings pointing to motive during Mangione’s upcoming state murder trial.
However, the judge also ruled that several items initially discovered during a warrantless search of Mangione’s backpack at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, must be excluded from evidence.
Those suppressed items include a loaded ammunition magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip.
Mangione, 28, has pleaded not guilty in both state and federal cases connected to the Dec. 4, 2024 killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
Prosecutors allege a 3D-printed pistol found in Mangione’s backpack matches the weapon used in the shooting.
Authorities also described a notebook recovered later at a police station as a “manifesto” containing references to targeting a health insurance executive and criticism of the insurance industry.
Defense lawyers argued police unlawfully searched the backpack before obtaining a judicial warrant.
Prosecutors maintained officers acted legally under Altoona police procedures requiring searches for dangerous items during arrests.
The judge ultimately permitted evidence recovered during a later inventory search at the police station while rejecting items obtained during the initial restaurant search.
Mangione was arrested in Altoona five days after Thompson was fatally shot while walking to an investor conference in Manhattan.
According to testimony, Mangione initially identified himself to officers using the false name “Mark Rosario” before later revealing his real identity.
Investigators said the alias matched one used by the suspected shooter while traveling to New York.
Authorities have also cited shell casings found at the shooting scene bearing the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose.”
Mangione’s state murder trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8 in Manhattan, while jury selection in the separate federal stalking case is expected to start Oct. 13.
He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.