Key facts
- Luigi Mangione's federal trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been postponed to January.
- The postponement allows Mangione's lawyers to focus on his state murder trial, scheduled for September 8.
- Jury selection for the federal trial will commence on January 5, with opening statements on January 25.
- Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges.
- The defense has indicated a potential psychiatric defense in the state case.
Luigi Mangione's federal trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been postponed until January. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett announced the delay on Monday, moving the jury selection from October 13 to January 5 and opening statements from November 4 to January 25.
The judge stated that the postponement was necessary to allow Mangione's defense team to fully concentrate on his state murder trial, which is scheduled to commence on September 8. Garnett expressed that it was "impossible" to proceed with the federal jury selection process while the defense was occupied with the state trial.
Mangione, 28, has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges related to the December 4, 2024, killing of Thompson, 50, who was shot while walking to a Manhattan hotel. The federal charges include allegations of crossing state lines to stalk and kill Thompson, utilizing a cellphone, the internet, and interstate highways, and staying at a hostel catering to out-of-state customers during the planning and execution of the attack.
During a previous hearing in the state case, Mangione had voiced opposition to having two separate trials, arguing it constituted "double jeopardy." His lawyers had contended that consecutive trials on a tight schedule would infringe upon his constitutional rights. Items collected from Mangione's backpack upon his arrest, including a 3D-printed pistol matching the one used in the killing and a notebook detailing his intent to harm an insurance executive, were ruled admissible as evidence by Garnett in January, when she also removed the death penalty as a possible sentence.
Mangione has garnered support from individuals critical of the health insurance industry, with an online fundraiser for his legal defense accumulating over $1.5 million. His court appearances have drawn a following of supporters, some of whom wear "FREE LUIGI" T-shirts.