A crucial hearing in the high-profile murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson continued this week, with a police officer detailing the tense moments leading to the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione at a Pennsylvania fast-food restaurant.
Officer's Testimony Reveals Arrest Strategy
On Tuesday, Officer Joseph Detwiler took the stand in a Pennsylvania court. He described responding to a call from a manager at a McDonald's in Altoona about a person loitering on 2 December 2025. Upon arrival, he encountered Mangione. According to body-camera footage played in court, Detwiler immediately called a supervisor, stating, "It's him … I'm not kidding. He’s real nervous, and he didn’t talk too much."
Detwiler testified that he recognised the 27-year-old suspect as soon as Mangione removed his medical mask. Mangione's face had been widely circulated in the media following the shooting on a Manhattan sidewalk on 4 December 2024. The officer noted that Mangione's fingers were shaking during their interaction and a pat-down.
Disputed Evidence at the Heart of the Hearing
Defence lawyers for Mangione are seeking to block key evidence from being presented at his future state murder trial in Manhattan. They aim to suppress statements he made and items seized from his backpack during the arrest, including a 9 mm handgun and a notebook. Prosecutors allege the gun matches the murder weapon and the notebook contained Mangione's stated intent to "wack" a health insurance executive.
The defence contends the search of the backpack was conducted without a warrant and that officers questioned Mangione, who allegedly gave a false name, before informing him of his right to remain silent. They argue officers "strategically" positioned themselves to prevent him from leaving.
In contrast, federal prosecutors have argued in filings that the search was justified for safety and that Mangione's statements were voluntary. This week's hearing pertains only to the state case, where Mangione faces charges that carry a possible life sentence. He also faces federal charges, for which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Background of a High-Profile Killing
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot from behind by a masked gunman while walking to a Midtown Manhattan hotel for his company's investor conference. He had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, since 2021. Prosecutors say ammunition found at the scene was inscribed with the words "delay," "deny," and "depose," a phrase critics use to describe insurance claim practices.
Mangione, an Ivy League-educated member of a wealthy Maryland family, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. No trial dates have been set for either the state or federal case. The evidence hearing continues as the court examines the complex legal boundaries of police interaction with suspects.
