{"id":1536,"date":"2026-05-18T14:39:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/?p=1536"},"modified":"2026-05-18T14:39:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:39:40","slug":"some-items-in-luigi-mangiones-backpack-wont-be-used-as-evidence-in-trial-judge-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/?p=1536","title":{"rendered":"Some items in Luigi Mangione\u2019s backpack won\u2019t be used as evidence in trial, judge rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"db943196-376b-4dd4-9115-ae7c8081d009\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"a man sits in court next to his lawyer as police stand behind him\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f6ce318c81fe3ec73bd18023bedf7cbbb64d720c\/0_0_3000_2000\/master\/3000.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"310\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Luigi Mangione in court in New York on 18 December 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Curtis Means\/Pool via AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"db943196-376b-4dd4-9115-ae7c8081d009\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Luigi Mangione in court in New York on 18 December 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Curtis Means\/Pool via AFP\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Some items in Luigi Mangione\u2019s backpack won\u2019t be used as evidence in trial, judge rules<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Defense says police who arrested Mangione over murder of United Healthcare CEO didn\u2019t apprise him of his rights<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/news\/2026\/feb\/17\/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The judge overseeing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2024\/dec\/09\/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-suspect-arrested\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Luigi Mangione<\/a>\u2019s Manhattan state court trial ruled Monday that some evidence gathered during his arrest would be barred from court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe evidence found during the search of the backpack at the McDonald\u2019s must be suppressed, including the magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip,\u201d Judge Gregory Carro said in his 18 May decision.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe search of the backpack at the misconduct at the McDonald\u2019s was an improper warrantless search,\u201d Carro said in court while briefly summing up his ruling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Carro ruled that evidence recovered at the police station was admissible, including the gun which authorities allege is the murder weapon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The ruling was released moments before Mangione\u2019s appeared in advance of his highly anticipated trial over the murder of healthcare executive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/brian-thompson-shooting\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Brian Thompson<\/a> on a New York City street. He was escorted into court just before 10am, wearing a navy blue suit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Carro, who is presiding over the case, had for months weighed whether to toss some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/dec\/07\/luigi-mangione-hearings-trial-shooting\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">prosecution evidence<\/a> at Mangione\u2019s 8 September state criminal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/01\/luigi-mangione-new-york-court-postpone-federal-trial\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">trial.<\/a> The defense has contended that police who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2024\/dec\/09\/brian-thompson-shooting-suspect-mayor\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">arrested<\/a> Mangione at an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonald\u2019s on 9 December 2024 did not apprise him of his constitutional rights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Mangione\u2019s defense has insisted that because he was not immediately apprised of his rights, statements he made to police officers should be barred from the trial. They also claim that evidence gathered during a police search of Mangione\u2019s backpack at the fast food restaurant should be prohibited from court, arguing that authorities engaged in a \u201cwarrantless search\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Authorities defended searching Mangione\u2019s backpack without a warrant, citing exigent circumstances. Carro disagreed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cEven if the backpack could be seen as within the defendant\u2019s control or grabbable area, the People did not meet their burden of demonstrating exigency,\u201d Carro wrote. \u201cThe People assert that the police were merely searching for explosives in an effort to protect themselves and the public, before removing the backpack to the station.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHowever, this justification for searching the backpack does not hold up to scrutiny,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, Carro will allow prosecutors to bring into evidence Mangione\u2019s alleged notebook, \u201cas the officers did not open or search it at the McDonald\u2019s\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.NewsletterSignupBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-ri3hap\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO, outside a Manhattan hotel on 4 December 2024. The killing spurred a massive manhunt that concluded after an anonymous tipster called in a tip that they spotted Mangione at the restaurant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Mangione also faces charges in Manhattan federal court, with that trial scheduled to begin in January 2027. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Carro on 16 September 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/sep\/16\/luigi-mangione-terrorism-charges-dropped\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">tossed<\/a> the top two state charges against Mangione \u2013 first-degree murder and second-degree murder as terrorism crimes. He still faces nine counts in his state case such as second-degree murder, which carries a sentence range of 25 years to life in prison.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/brian-thompson-shooting\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Brian Thompson shooting<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/new-york\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">New York<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-crime\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US crime<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Some%20items%20in%20Luigi%20Mangione%E2%80%99s%20backpack%20won%E2%80%99t%20be%20used%20as%20evidence%20in%20trial,%20judge%20rules&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/18\/luigi-mangione-trial-new-york-united-healthcare-ceo?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F18%2Fluigi-mangione-trial-new-york-united-healthcare-ceo&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/18\/luigi-mangione-trial-new-york-united-healthcare-ceo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Luigi Mangione in court in New York on 18 December 2025. Photograph: Curtis Means\/Pool via AFP\/Getty Images View<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1536"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1539,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1536\/revisions\/1539"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}