BUSINESS
Luigi Mangione’s Lawyers Withdraw Psychiatric Defense In New York Murder Trial
Mangione’s team would have been required to submit his psychiatric records to the Manhattan district attorney's office if it followed through on its defense.
By Vannessa Viljoen ·
Topline
Attorneys for Luigi Mangione on Thursday withdrew their intent to enter a psychiatric defense, just one day after it was revealed the attorneys planned to argue Mangione was experiencing an “extreme emotional disturbance” when he allegedly killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024.
Key Facts
A filing from Mangione’s lawyers submitted Thursday said the legal team “respectfully withdraws” its intent to make a psychiatric defense.
Thursday was the deadline for Mangione’s legal team to provide evidence for the emotional disturbance claim.
New York State Judge Gregory Carro said Thursday court documents regarding the attorneys’ planned psychiatric defense will be sealed.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder charge and various weapons charges in New York and has made the same plea against his federal stalking charges.
If Mangione successfully made a psychiatric defense in the state trial, his prison time could have been drastically reduced, as he would have instead faced up to 25 years in prison for a manslaughter charge, instead of a life sentence.
What To Watch For
Mangione’s state trial is slated for Sept. 8, while his federal trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 13.
Key Background
Mangione faced two murder charges in his federal case, but both were dropped by a judge in January. The dropped charges means the jury in the federal trial will not consider whether Mangione should be sentenced to the death penalty. In October, Mangione will go on trial for charges including interstate travel for the purpose of stalking Thompson, causing his death, and for use of electronic communications systems for the purpose of stalking Thompson, causing his death. Mangione faces possible life in prison without parole for the two charges. Mangione was arrested days after he allegedly shot and killed Thompson in 2024, following a highly publicized manhunt. Investigators have claimed Mangione was motivated by anger toward the health insurance industry, leading to numerous sympathizers who expressed their own disapproval for the health insurance industry in demonstrations and nearby court hearings after Mangione’s arrest.
Further Reading
Luigi Mangione Won’t Face Death Penalty As Judge Throws Out Two Charges (Forbes)
Luigi Mangione Cries ‘Double Jeopardy’ In Court As State Trial Set For June (Forbes)