The pretrial hearing for Luigi Mangione resumed Thursday, with newly released police bodycam footage drawing attention following a one-day break.
The judge is expected to decide soon which evidence can be presented at trial, including statements and items obtained during Mangione’s arrest. The bodycam video captures the initial encounter between officers and Mangione inside a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, nearly a year ago. In the two-minute clip, officers ask for Mangione’s name, and he provides a false one.
MANGIONE: “Uh, Mark.”
OFFICER: “Mark?”
MANGIONE: “Yes sir.”
OFFICER: “Mark what?”
MANGIONE: “Rosario”
OFFICER: “Rosario? Someone called and thought you were suspicious.”
An Altoona officer who escorted Mangione to his arraignment testified Tuesday that Mangione commented on the large courthouse crowd, saying, “All of these people are here for a mass murderer? Wild.” It remains unclear whether he was referring to himself or the victim, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, with whom Mangione reportedly had grievances regarding the health care system.
Earlier this week, the court released photos of items recovered from Mangione’s backpack, including a loaded magazine, ammunition wrapped in wet underwear, a 3D-printed ghost gun, and a silencer. Investigators also found notes that appear to outline a to-do list and a possible escape plan.
Mangione’s attorneys are seeking to suppress some of his early statements, claiming he had not been read his Miranda rights, and argue that the warrantless search was illegal. The hearing, initially expected to conclude this week, is now likely to extend into next week.