Luigi Mangione's defense will claim 'extreme emotional disturbance'

Defense attorneys for Luigi Mangione plan to argue he was suffering from “extreme emotional disturbance" when he allegedly killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a state judge revealed June 17.

Authorities say Mangione, 28, fatally shot Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024. He was taken into custody at a Pennsylvania McDonald's after a five-day manhunt. 

He was arrested and charged with nine felony counts, including second-degree murder, in New York state court. His New York state trial is expected to begin in September. Mangione faces separate charges in Pennsylvania and in federal court.

Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro, who is presiding over the case, said June 17 he will unseal records related to the psychiatric defense, although Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, argued doing so would impact the federal case against him, the Associated Press reported.

Carro also dismissed a criminal charge related to possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, ABC News reported. This comes after the judge ruled in May that evidence found during an initial search of Mangione's backpack must be suppressed, including a magazine, cell phone, passport and wallet.

Carro also ruled that key evidence, including a gun and a red notebook, uncovered during a subsequent search of the backpack, could be used at trial. Prosecutors say the notebook contains diary entries written by Mangione that shed light on his decision to target the healthcare executive.

Contributing: Reuters