Inside a Hearing Drawing National Attention

Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, sat silently in a Manhattan courtroom this week as prosecutors unveiled fresh testimony and unreleased body camera footage from the day he was arrested inside a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state murder charges connected to the 2024 killing, as well as separate federal charges that could carry the death penalty. His trial date has not yet been set.

What the Hearing Is Really About

The ongoing pre-trial hearing is not about guilt or innocence, but about evidence. Mangione’s defence team is attempting to block certain materials from being used at trial, including statements he made to police and items discovered in his backpack at the time of arrest.

Prosecutors and defence attorneys are expected to question more than a dozen witnesses tied to the arrest, ranging from McDonald’s employees to the police officers who detained him.

A McDonald’s Tip That Changed Everything

Much of the testimony has centred on the unlikely setting of Mangione’s arrest: a McDonald’s in rural Pennsylvania. Officers testified that it initially seemed absurd that a suspect wanted in a high-profile New York City killing would be found eating fast food hundreds of miles away.

But one physical detail stood out. A McDonald’s employee, relaying a customer’s tip to police, said the man matched the suspect description despite wearing a hoodie, face mask and beanie.

“The only thing you can see is his eyebrows,” the employee said in a recorded call played in court.

Eyebrows, Notes and a Strange To-Do List

Mangione’s eyebrows resurfaced again during testimony when prosecutors introduced handwritten notecards allegedly found in his possession. The cards appeared to outline plans for the days following the shooting.

One note read, “Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight,” while another included instructions such as “Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows.” Prosecutors argue the notes suggest attempts to evade identification.

Body Camera Footage Played in Court

Jurors are not yet present, but the court reviewed extensive body camera footage showing Mangione’s encounter with police. Officers narrated their reactions as they realised the man in front of them closely resembled the suspect whose image had been widely circulated.

In one clip, Mangione is seen calmly eating as officers surround him inside the restaurant, waiting for backup. Christmas music plays in the background as the situation unfolds.

A Fake Name Sparks the Arrest

Police testified that when officers first approached Mangione, they asked him to lower his face mask. He complied and identified himself as “Mark Rosario,” handing over a New Jersey ID that authorities later determined was fake.

According to testimony, providing false identification gave officers grounds to arrest him. Shortly after, Mangione admitted his real name was Luigi.

Footage shows officers placing him against a wall, handcuffing him, and taking a photograph that later spread widely online.

What Police Found in the Backpack

A major focus of the hearing has been the contents of Mangione’s backpack. His lawyers argue the search violated his rights because officers lacked a warrant. Prosecutors counter that legal exceptions applied.

Video shown in court captures officers removing items from the bag, including a handgun magazine loaded with 9mm ammunition. A notebook was also discovered, which one officer described on camera as reading like a “manifesto.”

Defence attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo objected strongly to that characterisation, arguing prosecutors were deliberately highlighting the word to prejudice future jurors.

More Items Entered Into Evidence

Prosecutors later introduced photographs of additional belongings recovered at the time of arrest. These included a handgun, a suppressor, large amounts of cash in $100 bills, face masks, a hair trimmer and a passport.

Officers eventually stopped searching the backpack at the scene, testifying that it was better handled back at the police station to avoid confusion.

The Defendant in Court

Throughout the proceedings, Mangione remained composed. Dressed in a grey suit and button-down shirt, he frequently took notes and occasionally exchanged smiles and quiet laughter with his legal team.

His lawyers include husband-and-wife duo Karen Friedman Agnifilo and Marc Agnifilo, the latter known for defending high-profile clients in recent years.

What Comes Next

The hearing is expected to continue into next week as more witnesses testify and judges decide which evidence will ultimately be allowed at trial.

While the case has already captivated public attention, the rulings made during this stage could shape how the story is ultimately told to a jury.