NEW YORK (AP) – A hearing pertaining to the state murder case of Luigi Mangione, charged with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been postponed to Wednesday. The delay occurred after prosecutors did not inform jail officials that Mangione was required in court for the scheduled hearing.
Judge Gregory Carro had initially set the hearing for Tuesday but had to adjourn it approximately half an hour after its intended start time. This was revealed by Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann, who stated that the prosecution had failed to send the necessary paperwork to the jail for Mangione's presence.
“It’s on us,” Seidemann admitted. “We got the writ signed but we failed to serve it.” Judge Carro expressed disappointment, remarking, “That’s unfortunate.” Seidemann further explained that although Judge Margaret Garnett from Mangione's federal case had issued an order for him to wear a suit in court, that directive alone was inadequate to ensure his transportation to the courtroom.
Luigi Mangione, aged 28, is currently incarcerated at a federal jail located in Brooklyn as he awaits trials at both state and federal levels concerning the murder of Thompson on December 4, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases, facing the possibility of life imprisonment if found guilty.
During the court proceedings, Judge Carro was expected to rule on an undisclosed matter following a secret hearing that occurred two weeks prior. This virtual proceeding was sealed at the request of the defense, and no additional information has been disclosed since.
Any forthcoming ruling from Judge Carro will now be made on Wednesday. The state trial for Mangione is set to commence on September 8, while his federal trial, involving stalking charges, is scheduled for October 13.
Brian Thompson, who was 50 years old at the time of his death, was shot while walking to a hotel in Manhattan to participate in UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference. Surveillance footage captured a masked gunman attacking him from behind, and police later revealed that the ammunition used bore the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose,” echoing a phrase associated with tactics used by insurance companies to avoid claim payouts.
Mangione, who hails from a privileged background and is an Ivy League graduate, was apprehended five days post-incident at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania—a location approximately 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of Manhattan.
In a previous hearing conducted last month, Judge Carro ruled that a weapon and a notebook, which prosecutors argue connect Mangione to the murder, can be utilized as evidence in the case. According to prosecutors, the weapon—a 3D-printed pistol—matches the one that killed Thompson. Furthermore, the notebook contains writings expressing a desire to “wack” a health insurance executive and a rebellious stance against what was described as the “deadly, greed-fueled health insurance cartel.”
Michael R. Sisak, The Associated Press
