Luigi Mangione’s journal not ‘manifesto’ about healthcare industry grievances, attorney argues

Luigi Mangione, the murder suspect charged with first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism, stalking, and other charges in Pennsylvania and New York, is defended by his attorney in Pennsylvania. The defense attorney argues that the police unlawfully detained Mangione and searched his belongings following a tip at a McDonald’s.

Mangione is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk in December 2024. His attorney disputes the characterization of Mangione’s writings found in his backpack during his arrest as a “manifesto.”

The defense attorney, Thomas Dickey, argues that the use of the term “manifesto” to describe Mangione’s writings is incorrect and unnecessary. Dickey believes that this characterization was made to prejudice the public and potential jury pool against the defendant.

Mangione allegedly shot Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare’s annual shareholder conference was taking place. Prosecutors believe the act was meant to send a message to the healthcare insurance industry based on writings found on Mangione during his arrest.

In his writings, Mangione reportedly expressed his grievances with the healthcare industry, specifically targeting UnitedHealthcare and the shareholder conference attended by Thompson at the time of the murder.

Dickey requests the court to refrain from labeling Mangione’s writings as a “manifesto” and to suppress various pieces of evidence, including a warrantless search of the suspect’s backpack, statements made to police during his arrest, and DNA evidence.

The defense attorney argues that Mangione was unlawfully detained and arrested at McDonald’s, leading to the collection of evidence that should not be used against him in court.

Mangione, a 26-year-old suspect with an Ivy League education, has been portrayed by some as an anti-capitalist crusader. However, his actions before the murder, including stopping at a Starbucks and being arrested at McDonald’s, paint a different picture.

Mangione is accused of meticulously planning the murder to spark a public discussion about the healthcare industry, according to the US Department of Justice.

Prosecutors in New York claim that Mangione planned to travel to New York, locate Thompson, who was in town for UnitedHealthcare’s conference, and kill him.

Mangione allegedly used a 3D-printed ghost gun and suppressor to shoot Thompson from behind.

Surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows Mangione pulling down his face mask and smiling at a clerk at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed before the murder. The image garnered online support for the accused killer.

After the murder, Mangione fled the scene, rode a bike to a bus station, and took a bus to Altoona, where he was eventually apprehended.

Originally from Maryland, Mangione has lived in California and Hawaii. He graduated as valedictorian from the Gilman School in Baltimore and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania.