Luigi Mangione appears at an evidence suppression hearing at the Manhattan supreme court in May. Photograph: Jeenah Moon/Reuters
Luigi Mangione's legal team plans on pursuing a psychiatric defense during his upcoming Manhattan state court trial over the killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson, court proceedings revealed on Wednesday.
Defense Strategy Revealed
Judge Gregory Carro revealed the move in a discussion of unsealing records related to the defense's request to pursue this legal strategy. Carro disclosed that Mangione's team planned to argue he suffered an "extreme emotional disturbance at the time of the occurrence."
He ordered the defense to promptly tell prosecutors what "mental defect" Mangione allegedly suffered. Carro also ordered the defense and prosecution to immediately share information with each other related to this defense. "They need to know the malady and how that triggered emotional disturbance," Carro said at one point in urging the defense to act swiftly.
Court Appearance
Mangione appeared this morning after missing an appearance earlier on Tuesday due to a paperwork error. He was escorted into court at approximately 9.47am, wearing a deep blue suit and pale shirt, without a tie, and restrained with handcuffs.
Mangione's appearance relates to the 4 December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York City street in late 2024. He faces state and federal charges in Thompson's death, and has pleaded not guilty in both cases. In Mangione's state case, he now faces eight counts including second-degree murder. Mangione's state trial is scheduled for 8 September. His federal case involves stalking charges.
The slaying on a midtown street both launched an extensive manhunt for Thompson's killer and a surge of public anger against the US healthcare system – which has long been derided for placing profits over patients.
Missed Appearance
As for Mangione's non-appearance earlier this week, Carro informed the court that the defendant was not brought to court from jail as required, necessitating rescheduling. Prosecutor Joel Seidemann told the court: "It's on us." He explained that the prosecutors got paperwork signed that would have green-lighted Mangione's transport, but it was not delivered as required.
Secrecy Lifted
Carro's disclosure also started to lift the veil on secrecy surrounding Mangione's state case. Carro on 3 June held a closed-door proceeding with Mangione, his team and prosecutors despite press objections. Court proceedings are presumed open in New York and US courts and journalists have a right to petition against potential closures, both in person and via letter. Carro refused to hear them.
In court this morning, Carro said: "The reason for the sealing was to give the defense an opportunity to determine whether they were going forth with this defense." "If they didn't go forward," he added, information in this proceeding could be "very prejudicial." Carro said that transcript of the closed-door proceeding will be made available publicly following appropriate redaction.
