Backpack Search Under Scrutiny In Mangione Death Penalty Case
4 days ago
Luigi Mangione is returning to federal court today as a judge reviews whether key evidence can be used in his death penalty case for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The hearing will focus on whether police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, legally searched Mangione’s backpack after his arrest on Dec. 9, 2024, five days after Thompson was killed in Manhattan. Authorities say the search uncovered a gun and a notebook in which Mangione allegedly detailed plans to target a health insurance executive.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett has limited the hearing to testimony from a single Altoona police officer, who will discuss department procedures for securing and inventorying personal property during arrests. The officer does not need to have personally participated in Mangione’s arrest.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison. His trial could begin as early as September.
Prosecutors argue that the backpack search was lawful under Altoona police protocol, which allows officers to quickly check for dangerous items and later inventory seized property. Defense attorneys contend the search occurred before a warrant was obtained, and that any evidence from it should be excluded.
Among the items found were a loaded gun magazine, a firearm, a silencer, and a notebook with notes including alleged plans and to-do lists. Prosecutors say the search was part of a standard inventory procedure and later validated by a warrant.
Judge Garnett has requested the federal search warrant affidavit to better understand the sequence of events. Defense attorneys argue the pre-warrant search may have influenced the affidavit, while prosecutors say no specific details from the backpack, like notebook contents, were included.
The hearing will focus on whether police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, legally searched Mangione’s backpack after his arrest on Dec. 9, 2024, five days after Thompson was killed in Manhattan. Authorities say the search uncovered a gun and a notebook in which Mangione allegedly detailed plans to target a health insurance executive.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett has limited the hearing to testimony from a single Altoona police officer, who will discuss department procedures for securing and inventorying personal property during arrests. The officer does not need to have personally participated in Mangione’s arrest.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges, which carry the possibility of life in prison. His trial could begin as early as September.
Prosecutors argue that the backpack search was lawful under Altoona police protocol, which allows officers to quickly check for dangerous items and later inventory seized property. Defense attorneys contend the search occurred before a warrant was obtained, and that any evidence from it should be excluded.
Among the items found were a loaded gun magazine, a firearm, a silencer, and a notebook with notes including alleged plans and to-do lists. Prosecutors say the search was part of a standard inventory procedure and later validated by a warrant.
Judge Garnett has requested the federal search warrant affidavit to better understand the sequence of events. Defense attorneys argue the pre-warrant search may have influenced the affidavit, while prosecutors say no specific details from the backpack, like notebook contents, were included.
