Mangione plans psychiatric defense in CEO killing case
Lawyers for Luigi Mangione told a New York judge they will argue he was under extreme emotional disturbance when Brian Thompson was shot.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
Luigi Mangione’s lawyers plan to use a psychiatric defense at his state trial over the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a strategy that could reduce the charge if jurors accept it. Judge Gregory Carro said Wednesday in Manhattan that the defense had notified him it would argue Mangione was in a state of “extreme emotional disturbance” during the December 2024 shooting, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters and The Associated Press.
New York law allows murder defendants to argue they should not be held fully responsible if they acted under extreme emotional disturbance at the time of a killing, Al Jazeera, Reuters and AP reported. If a jury accepts that argument, Mangione could be convicted of manslaughter instead of murder, a result that generally carries a lighter punishment.
The defense differs from an insanity plea, according to the news organizations. An emotional disturbance claim would amount to acknowledging the act while arguing that Mangione’s judgment was impaired; an insanity plea could lead to confinement in a psychiatric facility rather than prison.
Mangione, 28, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday seated between two lawyers and wearing a blue suit, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters and AP. His state trial is scheduled to begin September 8.
Thompson was fatally shot outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan in December 2024, according to the reports. Video of the shooting circulated widely on social media, and the case drew attention to public anger over high healthcare costs in the United States.
Police have said the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition linked to the suspect, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters and AP. Police described the words as a reference to accusations that health insurers avoid paying claims.
Mangione has previously pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges connected to Thompson’s killing, the news organizations reported. He faces possible life imprisonment if convicted in either case.
A separate federal trial is scheduled to begin October 13 and includes stalking charges, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters and AP. In January, US District Judge Margaret Garnett, who is overseeing the federal case, dismissed murder and weapons charges on technical grounds, removing the possibility that Mangione could face the death penalty.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.