Attorneys for Luigi Mangione — the man charged in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — asked a federal judge this week to dismiss a death-eligible charge and to exclude evidence they say was seized improperly. The defense argued that the statute under which federal prosecutors seek capital exposure is being misapplied, and moved to suppress a gun and ammunition they say were recovered without a valid warrant; they also contend Mangione wasn’t properly Mirandized before some questioning. Mangione has pleaded not guilty.
The case remains one of the most closely watched national criminal matters of the year, with public debate persisting over motive, corporate accountability and the limits of protest-tinged violence. Federal prosecutors previously signaled a willingness to pursue the most serious penalties; in response, the defense’s motions aim to narrow the government’s case before trial. Media attention and a sizable online defense fund have kept this story in the headlines, raising questions about how high-profile violent incidents intersect with public discourse.