Luigi Mangione's hearing delayed due to illness

Dec. 5 The evidentiary hearing in Luigi Mangione's case has been postponed as he is unwell, Judge Gregory Carro confirmed on Friday. "The defendant is reportedly sick today, so the session will resume Monday morning," Carro stated, without providing additional details about Mangione's health.

Mangione, 27, faces charges for the fatal shooting of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson, 50, on a Manhattan sidewalk. Authorities apprehended him five days later at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

During the hearing, Mangione and his legal team sought to exclude his initial statements, a personal notebook, and a firearm found in his backpack from trial evidence, arguing that police had seized these items before obtaining a search warrant. When the proceedings continue on Monday, testimony from two Altoona police officers is anticipated.

On Thursday, Patrolman Tyler Frye testified that Mangione did not display aggressive behavior nor attempt to open his backpack during his arrest. "He never tried to open his backpack at the McDonald's, did he?" defense attorney Jacob Kaplan asked. "No," replied Frye.

Judge Carro noted on Thursday that both the prosecution and defense were being repetitive, stating that this approach was "not helping your case." The hearing is expected to extend into next week.

Author: Ava Mitchell