A year after the alleged shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan, 27-year-old Luigi Mangione returned to court Thursday for the third day of his pretrial hearing in his state murder case. Mangione was identified in court by Patrolman Tyler Frye, one of the first officers to encounter him in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following the shooting. Frye pointed to Mangione in the courtroom, noting his suit and seating location.
Mangione’s defense team is seeking to block prosecutors from using key evidence, including a 3D-printed gun and a red notebook found in his backpack, as well as statements he made, arguing the items were seized without a warrant. Body camera footage of Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona was played in court, showing officers identifying him after responding to a report of someone matching his description. Frye, a probationary officer at the time, was captured on video standing near Mangione as he ate a hash brown and provided a false ID. Officers read Mangione his Miranda rights after verifying his identity and discovering the backpack.
The video also showed Mangione being taken into custody under a Pennsylvania forgery charge and subjected to a thorough search, including a strip search at the police station, where officers discovered a bus ticket with an alias, a to-do list, and a rough map. Frye testified that he had a strong suspicion Mangione was the person wanted for the Manhattan shooting. Defense attorneys highlighted Mangione’s calm behavior, cooperation, and the large police presence during his arrest, questioning the necessity of a strip search for a minor forgery charge.
Throughout the hearing, Mangione was observed taking notes, reacting to courtroom activity, and occasionally smiling or shaking his head. Judge Gregory Carro, presiding over the case, urged both sides to expedite proceedings, which are expected to continue on Friday with additional testimony from officers involved in the initial arrest and backpack search. The judge also announced that several exhibits introduced during the hearing will be publicly released.
