Luigi Mangione's lawyers seek dismissal of federal charges in healthcare CEO killing

"In a court filing, attorneys for Mangione said the death penalty must be dismissed because it does not meet the legal threshold. Mangione's legal team is also arguing that evidence, including a gun and ammunition, allegedly found in a backpack Mangione was carrying when he was arrested at a Pennsylvania McDonald's should be suppressed at trial because the search occurred without a warrant. They further claim that Mangione, 27, was not read his rights before he was questioned by law enforcement officers."

"The suspected gunman has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges in the fatal shooting of Thompson on 4 December last year as he arrived at midtown Manhattan hotel. The killing set off a multi-state manhunt for the shooter. Mangione allegedly rode a bike to Central Park before taking a taxi to a bus depot. He was picked up by police five days later at a McDonald's more than 200 miles (320km) away in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a tip."

"Attorneys for Mangione last month asked that federal charges be dismissed because attorney general Pam Bondi had publicly called on federal prosecutors in New York to seek the death penalty, calling the killing of Thompson a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. Federal prosecutors charged Mangione under a federal law on murders committed with firearms as part of other crimes of violence, but his defense lawyers claim that stalking the only other crime charged is not a crime of violence."

Luigi Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 as Thompson arrived at a Midtown Manhattan hotel. Defense attorneys asked a federal judge to dismiss some charges, including the only count eligible for the death penalty, arguing it fails the legal threshold. The defense moved to suppress evidence, including a gun and ammunition allegedly found in a backpack at a Pennsylvania McDonald's, contending the search lacked a warrant and that Mangione was not read his rights before questioning. Mangione pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges. A judge previously dismissed state terrorism counts for lack of intent evidence.

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