As his New York murder case moves toward trial, Luigi Mangione is pulling back — at least for now — from a defense that would have argued he was in the grip of an extreme mental health crisis when the killing took place, according to a court filing.
Mr Mangione, 28, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown hotel in December 2024.
He pleaded not guilty in December 2024 to murder, weapons and forgery charges filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
His trial is scheduled for September before Justice Gregory Carro in Manhattan.
New York law allows defendants in murder cases to argue that their conduct stemmed from an “extreme emotional disturbance,” a claim that can lessen their criminal responsibility.
If a jury accepts that argument, it can opt for leniency by reducing a murder charge to manslaughter, a lesser offense that does not carry the possibility of a life sentence.
Legal experts said Mr Mangione could face steep odds with that defence, pointing to allegations that the shooting was carefully planned and that he avoided capture in the aftermath.
At trial, Judge Carro would ultimately determine whether the evidence was sufficient for the murder charge to be reduced.
Mr Thompson was leading UnitedHealth Group’s insurance division when he was shot to death outside a hotel where the company was holding a conference.
Mr Mangione was later arrested in Pennsylvania.
In a separate case, he pleaded not guilty in April 2025 to murder, weapons and stalking charges brought by Manhattan federal prosecutors.
In a surprise ruling in January, a judge dismissed the murder and weapons charges on legal technicalities.
That ruling removed the prospect that Mr Mangione could face the death penalty, although he still faces a possible sentence of life without parole if convicted on the stalking charge.
Jury selection in that case is due to begin in September, with opening statements in the trial scheduled for November.
