Luigi Mangione heads to federal court in Manhattan as he fights to block the death penalty

"Mangione's lawyers contend that authorities prejudiced his case by turning his December 2024 arrest into a "Marvel movie" spectacle and by publicly declaring their desire to see him executed even before he was formally indicted. If that doesn't work, they argue, the charge that has enabled the government to seek the death penalty - murder by firearm - should be thrown out because it is legally flawed."

"Federal prosecutors say Mangione's lawyers are wrong, countering that the murder charge is legally sufficient and that "pretrial publicity, even when intense" is hardly a constitutional crisis. Any concerns about public perceptions can be alleviated by carefully questioning prospective jurors about their knowledge of the case, prosecutors wrote in a court filing. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison."

"Friday's hearing, Mangione's first trip to Manhattan federal court since his April 25 arraignment, is also expected to cover the defense's bid to exclude certain evidence. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett has said she also plans to set a trial date. A cause célèbre for people upset with the health insurance industry, Mangione's court appearances have draw dozens of supporters, some of whom wear green clothing or carry signs expressing solidarity with him."

"Mangione's lawyers have asked the judge to bar the government from using certain items found in a backpack during his arrest, arguing that the search was illegal because police had not yet obtained a warrant. Those items include a gun that police said matched the one used to kill Thompson and a notebook in which he purportedly described his intent to "wack" a health insurance executive."

Federal court will hold a Friday hearing on Luigi Mangione's motions. Defense lawyers say authorities prejudiced the case by turning his December arrest into a "Marvel movie" spectacle and by declaring a desire to see him executed. The defense seeks to bar pursuit of the death penalty and to dismiss the murder-by-firearm charge as legally flawed. Prosecutors contend the murder charge is sufficient and argue pretrial publicity can be handled by questioning jurors. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges. The judge will also consider excluding items from a warrantless backpack search, including a gun and a notebook alleging intent to "wack" a health insurance executive.

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