Luigi Mangione Murder Trial Hearing Postponed Due to Prosecutor Error

Luigi Mangione (File photo)

Luigi Mangione (File photo)

Luigi Mangione (File photo)

A hearing in Luigi Mangione’s state murder case trial linked to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was postponed after prosecutors failed to properly notify the jail that he needed to be brought to court. Judge Gregory Carro had scheduled the hearing for Tuesday, but it was adjourned about half an hour after it was due to begin. Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann told the court that the required paperwork had not been sent to the jail, as per the courtroom statements quoted by Associated Press. “It's on us,” Seidemann said. “We got the writ signed but we failed to serve it.” “That's unfortunate,” Carro replied. Seidemann also said that while the federal judge in Mangione’s case had issued an order allowing him to wear a suit to court, that alone was not enough to ensure his appearance in court. Mangione, 28, is currently held at a federal jail in Brooklyn. He is facing both state and federal charges in connection with the Dec. 4, 2024 killing of Brian Thompson. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases and could face life in prison if convicted. The judge had been expected to rule on an unspecified matter following a sealed hearing held two weeks earlier. That ruling is now expected on Wednesday. Mangione’s state trial is scheduled to begin on September 8, while his federal trial, which includes stalking-related charges, is set for October 13. Thompson, 50, was shot as he walked to a Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference. Surveillance footage showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Investigators say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on the bullets, referencing a phrase associated with insurance claim denials. Authorities say Mangione was arrested five days after the killing at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (around 370 km) from New York City. He was taken into custody after a nationwide search. At a previous hearing, the court allowed a gun and notebook submitted by prosecutors to be used as evidence. Prosecutors say the gun, a 3D-printed pistol, matches the weapon used in the killing, and the notebook includes writings about wanting to “wack” a health insurance executive and opposing what it called a “greed-fueled health insurance cartel.” The case has drawn major public attention because the victim was a top healthcare executive, the killing was captured on surveillance footage, and prosecutors allege it involved ideological motivation tied to anger against the health insurance industry. It also sparked a huge debate around the health insurance coverage and providers in the US.