Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old Maryland native accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday for a crucial pretrial hearing that could determine what evidence will be allowed at his upcoming murder trial.

Mangione, wearing a grey suit and white shirt patterned with red checks, listened as a corrections officer testified that the defendant admitted to carrying a 3D-printed firearm in his backpack. Prosecutors say that backpack also contained a suppressor and personal writings they believe point to motive.

The hearing is part of an ongoing legal battle over whether police lawfully searched Mangione and whether his statements to law enforcement should be admissible.

Defense Challenges Testimony About Alleged 3D-Printed Gun

According to the testifying guard, Mangione volunteered—without any prompting—that he had a 3D-printed pistol in his bag. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo immediately questioned the credibility of that claim.

“You weren’t asking him anything,” Agnifilo said. “And suddenly he tells you he had a 3D-printed pistol?”

The guard maintained that he did not question Mangione and had no personal interest in the case’s outcome. The defense, however, argues that both the search and the statements linked to it violated Mangione’s constitutional rights.

Prosecutors Insist Search and Statements Were Legal

Prosecutors strongly disagree with the defense, asserting the search and evidence collection were lawful. They argue the gun, suppressor, and Mangione’s writings are critical to proving motive and establishing intent.

Court filings previously cited passages from Mangione’s journal, including references to anti-corporate sentiment and comments praising the “Unabomber,” the domestic extremist responsible for a series of mail bombings decades ago. Prosecutors say these writings show Mangione expressed anger toward what he allegedly described as a “greed-driven health insurance system.”

The removal of these items from the case would be a major setback for the prosecution.

Surveillance Footage and 911 Audio Played in Court

During the hearing, prosecutors presented surveillance clips related to Thompson’s killing, as well as video and audio from Mangione’s arrest five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The footage showed officers approaching Mangione in the restaurant after receiving a tip from concerned customers who thought he resembled the suspect shown in news reports.

A 911 recording played in court captured a manager relaying those concerns, stating that employees and customers believed Mangione matched the description of the man wanted for Thompson’s killing.

Mangione sat quietly throughout, occasionally placing a finger to his lips and his thumb beneath his chin while watching the footage.

Charges and Possible Sentence

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to:

• Second-degree murder (intentional killing)
• Seven counts of weapons possession
• One count of possessing false identification

If convicted of murder, he could face life in prison.

He also faces a separate federal case, where prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty. Judge Gregory Carro previously dismissed two state-level terrorism charges in September, ruling that prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to prove that Mangione intended to coerce government policy or intimidate workers in the health-insurance industry.

Supporters Gather Outside Court

Before Monday’s hearing, a small group of Mangione supporters gathered outside the courthouse. One person dressed as a character from the Super Mario Bros. video game held a sign claiming, “When patients die, profits rise,” while another wore a sash proclaiming “Free Luigi.”

No trial date has been scheduled for either the state case or the federal proceedings.