Luigi Mangione’s lawyers seek to block death penalty in pivotal NYC federal court hearing

Luigi Mangione / Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Luigi Mangione appeared in a New York City federal courtroom on Friday as his lawyers try to bar the Justice Department from seeking the death penalty for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The pivotal hearing is Mangione’s first federal court appearance since he pleaded not guilty to murder and stalking charges at his arraignment in April 2025.

Protesters against the death penalty are expected to rally outside the Manhattan courthouse for the 11 a.m. hearing, as Mangione’s court appearances often attract a crowd.

That said, the courtroom Friday was not full, and there were mostly journalists in the gallery, along with some attorneys, and several members of the public.

Mangione arrived at court just after 11 a.m. His legs were shackled, but his hands were free. He was wearing a tan prison jumpsuit and shook hands with his attorneys.

Judge says trial date not likely to be announced any time soon 
The judge said Friday that the outcome of the motion to dismiss two of the counts against Mangione will impact the trial date, and he therefore thinks the trial date won’t be settled Friday.

The judge and Mangione’s defense then discussed the evidence found in Mangione’s backpack, including his journal.

What’s at issue in Mangione’s hearing
New York Law School Professor Anna Cominsky said the key issues the federal judge will be looking at are whether certain charges should be dismissed and whether the death penalty should be on the table.

Mangione’s defense team is trying to get the murder by firearm charge thrown out. That charge allows the federal government to seek the death penalty.

The judge will also be determining if the contents of Mangione’s backpack should be used as evidence in the trial. The black backpack, which Mangione had when he was arrested, was also at the center of pretrial hearings in his New York state murder case.

At issue is whether the police search of Mangione’s backpack was legal as officers went on to find a pistol, silencer and notebook inside.

Mangione’s lawyers argue the evidence found inside the bag should be excluded because police did not have a warrant.

The judge in the state case is currently deciding whether to allow the evidence into that trial. A decision is expected by May 18.

Mangione’s attorneys say case is tainted
Mangione’s defense attorneys say authorities prejudiced the case against him by turning his arrest for the 2024 shooting into a “Marvel movie spectacle.”

They have presented a few arguments as to why this should not be a federal death penalty case.

Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Criminal Court, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in New York.William Farrington / AP
Mangione’s lawyers argue that authorities prejudiced the case by turning his perp walk into a highly choreographed spectacle and declaring their desire to see him executed before formally indicting him.

They also claim Attorney General Pam Bondi’s previous job with Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm whose clients include UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, is a conflict of interest.

They allege Bondi violated an agreement when she took office to bow out of any matters related to Ballard Partners for at least one year.

Prosecutors deny Bondi has conflict of interest
Federal prosecutors slammed the defense’s claims as meritless and misleading, arguing there is no conflict of interest with the attorney general because there is no present or future financial gain.

They also argue that pretrial publicity, even when intense, is hardly a constitutional crisis.