Federal and state prosecutors have rejected claims from the defense team of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, arguing his arrest was fully justified based on reasonable suspicion and escalating probable cause.
Mangione’s attorneys had filed a motion seeking to suppress evidence, claiming his December 2024 arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, was unlawful. They argue that authorities lacked the legal grounds to detain him, making all evidence collected after the arrest inadmissible.
Prosecutors countered by outlining how a fast food employee alerted police after recognizing Mangione from media reports tied to the New York City shooting. When officers approached, Mangione allegedly cooperated but provided a fake ID, which prosecutors say elevated the situation to probable cause.
Mangione currently faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree murder and terrorism-related offenses. Federal authorities have indicated they will pursue the death penalty due to the ideological nature of the crime and its broader public safety implications.
He has entered a not guilty plea, and a court hearing is scheduled to determine whether the evidence gathered during and after the arrest will be allowed to proceed to trial.