Luigi Mangione Judge Weighs Key Evidence in CEO Murder Case

A New York judge is expected to issue a major ruling Monday that could shape the upcoming murder trial of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing Brian Thompson in Manhattan.

The decision centers on whether prosecutors can use evidence police recovered from Mangione’s backpack when he was arrested in Pennsylvania days after the fatal shooting.

Judge considers challenge to backpack search

Judge Gregory Carro is reviewing a defense request to suppress evidence seized during Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after Thompson’s death in December 2024.

Defense attorneys argue the warrantless search violated Mangione’s constitutional protections against unlawful searches and seizures.

If the judge sides with the defense, prosecutors could lose access to several critical pieces of evidence, including:

• The alleged murder weapon
• Writings prosecutors describe as a confession
• Notes allegedly detailing an escape route
• A fake driver’s license
• Thousands of dollars in cash

Prosecutors defend police actions

Lawyers from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office argued officers acted reasonably during the arrest and later secured a valid warrant for the backpack.

Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann wrote in court filings that officers handled the situation “in deliberate and painstaking fashion.”

Prosecutors also argued the contents of the backpack would have been inevitably discovered even if the initial search is challenged.

Federal judge previously allowed same evidence

Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled the same evidence could be used during Mangione’s separate federal case.

That federal trial, focused on stalking-related charges, is currently scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Judge Garnett concluded the backpack evidence would have inevitably been uncovered by investigators regardless of the initial search.

Murder trial scheduled for September

Mangione’s state murder trial is expected to begin Sept. 8.

Even if some evidence is excluded, prosecutors would still have:

• Surveillance footage of the shooting
• DNA evidence
• Fingerprint evidence
• A cellphone recovered by investigators

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges.

Supporters continue funding legal defense

As the case draws national attention, Mangione’s supporters have continued raising money for his legal defense.

Earlier this month, the defense fund surpassed $1.5 million around Mangione’s 28th birthday.