Mangione Drops Mental Health Defence Plans Ahead of CEO’s Murder Trial

Luigi Mangione, accused of gunning down a health insurance executive on a Manhattan pavement, has for now withdrawn plans to introduce evidence at trial that he was experiencing an extreme mental health crisis at the time of the alleged killing, according to a court filing on Friday.

Mangione, 28, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024. The killing was widely condemned by public officials, but it also became symbolic of growing public frustration over rising healthcare costs and insurance industry practices linked to UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group.

He pleaded not guilty in December 2024 to state murder, weapons and forgery charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Alvin Bragg. His trial is scheduled for September before Justice Gregory Carro Gregory Carro in Manhattan.

In a letter to the court on Friday, Mangione’s lawyers said they were “at this time” withdrawing plans to present evidence that he had been undergoing an extreme mental health crisis.

Neither Mangione’s legal team nor Bragg’s office commented on the development.

Under New York law, defendants may argue that their actions were the result of an “extreme emotional disturbance”, which can reduce criminal culpability. The defence can allow a jury to downgrade a murder charge to manslaughter, which does not carry a potential life sentence.

Legal experts have said it may be difficult for Mangione to succeed with such a defence, given allegations that he carefully planned the killing and attempted to evade arrest.

Thompson, who led UnitedHealth Group’s insurance division, was shot dead early in the morning outside the hotel where the company was hosting an investor conference.

Graphic footage of the killing and a five-day manhunt for the suspect drew intense media attention and social media scrutiny. Mangione was eventually arrested in Pennsylvania.

He separately pleaded not guilty in April 2025 to federal murder, weapons and stalking charges brought by Manhattan federal prosecutors.

A judge later dismissed the murder and weapons charges on legal technical grounds in January, removing the possibility of the death penalty. However, Mangione still faces the possibility of life imprisonment without parole if convicted of stalking. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in September, with opening statements expected in November.

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