Defense Team for Luigi Mangione Seeks to Remove Restraints in Court Appearance for UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case

Attorneys representing Luigi Mangione have filed a legal motion urging a New York judge to permit the murder suspect in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to appear in court without handcuffs or a bulletproof vest, asserting that these visible restraints are unwarranted.

The motion was submitted ahead of Mangione’s court scheduled for June 26, a date that has drawn significant media attention due to the serious nature of the allegations.

Filed with Justice Gregory Carro of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, the request seeks to allow Mangione to present himself at the defense table with his hands unshackled and wearing standard courtroom attire.

Arguments Against Visible Restraints

Mangione’s legal team argues that the imposition of shackles and a bulletproof vest does not provide a legitimate security function. Instead, they suggest that these measures contribute to a negative public perception, casting Mangione in a violent light. The defense stresses that the media frequently captures images of such restraints, which detracts from the fundamental principle of his presumption of innocence.

The defense cited an incident where a photograph showing Mangione’s shackled ankles garnered over 36 million views on X, claiming that it hampers his right to a fair trial.

History of Cooperation

In their motion, Mangione’s lawyers highlighted that he has not caused any disturbances since his arrest in December 2024. They noted that he cooperated with law enforcement during his apprehension and has posed no problems while in custody. Currently, Mangione is held in a regular section of the federal jail in Brooklyn, meets with his lawyers almost daily without restraints, and has been assigned work within the prison.

Cost-Cutting Measures in Federal Court

Interestingly, in the federal court where Mangione faces the potential of capital punishment, he was only required to wear leg shackles without the added restraints of a bulletproof vest or handcuffs. His defense argues that the excessive measures in state court are overly punitive given his lack of violent behavior.

Questioning the Necessity of a Bulletproof Vest

The defense has raised questions regarding the need for Mangione to wear a bulletproof vest, asserting that all individuals entering the court must pass through a metal detector. This argument challenges the rationale behind added security measures when standard procedures should suffice.

Background of the Case

Luigi Mangione, a Maryland resident, is accused of murdering Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024, in New York City. Thompson was shot from behind outside a Hilton hotel shortly before a scheduled shareholder conference. Police investigators found bullet casings at the scene, alongside messages written on them: “depose,” “deny,” and “defend.” These phrases have led to comparisons with the book “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.”

After his alleged actions, Mangione was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was recognized by a McDonald’s customer and an employee who identified him from a wanted poster.

A federal grand jury subsequently indicted Mangione on several serious charges, including murder committed with a firearm, a firearms offense, and two counts of stalking. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Additional Charges Across Multiple States

In addition to federal charges, Mangione faces accusations in Pennsylvania and New York. In Pennsylvania, where he was arrested, charges include carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, providing false identification to authorities, and possession of instruments of crime. These charges remain unresolved.

In New York, Mangione is confronted with eleven charges, with the gravest being first-degree murder as an act of terrorism. Prosecutors allege that the homicide was committed with the intent to intimidate a group and influence governmental policies. Other indictments involve multiple counts of criminal possession of weapons related to a ghost gun and a silencer, as well as criminal possession of a forged instrument, notably for using a fake New Jersey driver’s license to check into a hostel near the scene of the crime.

Upcoming Court Dates

Mangione’s next state court appearance is set for June 26, while his federal court hearing is scheduled for December 5. Legal experts and observers will be closely watching the proceedings to understand how the court addresses the manageability of the case as well as public perceptions surrounding it.