A federal judge has reversed her earlier decision and will hold a hearing to review whether Luigi Mangione’s backpack was legally seized and searched. The arrest occurred at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Judge Margaret Garnett said she considered arguments from both sides during a previous hearing. She also weighed the seriousness of the charges against Mangione. Although she initially deemed a hearing unnecessary, she decided it is now warranted.
Officer Testimony Expected
The hearing will include an Altoona police officer who can explain procedures for securing and inventorying property taken from arrested individuals. The judge clarified that the witness does not need to be one of the officers involved in Mangione’s arrest. The short hearing is expected within the next two weeks.
Defense Seeks to Exclude Evidence
Mangione’s lawyers want to exclude items seized during the arrest, including a backpack that allegedly held the murder weapon. Several officers have already testified in state court regarding this motion.
Federal and State Trial Dates
The defense also asked to bar the federal case from being a capital trial. If the death penalty remains an option, the federal trial could occur in December or January 2027. Without it, the trial could start as early as October. The state case will go first, though no date has been set.
Background
Mangione is accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York City sidewalk in 2024. He has pleaded not guilty in both federal and state courts.
