The legal team for a man accused of murdering the chief executive of the nation's largest health insurer is challenging the most serious charge he faces -- the only one that could result in a death sentence.

Attorneys for Luigi Mangione have asked a federal judge in Manhattan to throw out pivotal charges tied to the December 2024 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, claiming that his post-arrest statements and crucial physical evidence were obtained unlawfully, as the New York Post reports.

Mangione, 27, was indicted following the fatal shooting of Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, outside the Midtown Hilton Hotel in Manhattan. The incident took place just as Thompson was arriving for an annual investor event hosted by his company. Authorities said Mangione fled the chaotic scene by bicycle and triggered a wide-reaching manhunt that spanned several states.

The accused killer pleaded not guilty to multiple charges brought in both state and federal court. The criminal indictment includes one federal charge that could carry the death penalty: murder committed with a firearm in relation to other violent crimes. It was this charge that defense lawyers targeted in their most recent filing.

Defense disputes legality of key evidence

According to filings from his legal team, Mangione's rights were violated at multiple points following his arrest. They allege that law enforcement officers failed to inform Mangione of his Miranda rights before questioning him. As a result, the defense argues that his statements to investigators should be excluded from future proceedings.

The attorneys are also seeking to suppress physical evidence, notably a firearm and ammunition found in Mangione’s backpack. According to the defense, the search of the backpack was conducted without a valid warrant and should be ruled inadmissible.

Prosecutors have yet to respond publicly to the request, but the judge overseeing the case is expected to schedule a hearing to consider the motion in the coming weeks. A ruling on the matter could reshape the scope of the upcoming trial.

Federal murder charge under scrutiny

The defense team is also targeting the legitimacy of the federal firearm-murder charge. The law in question permits capital punishment if the homicide was committed during other “crimes of violence.” In this case, federal prosecutors linked the killing to allegations of stalking.

But Mangione’s lawyers dispute that stalking qualifies as a valid predicate offense under the statute. They argue that without a recognized “crime of violence” attached, the charge -- and potential capital sentence -- cannot legally stand.

These arguments go to the heart of how federal authorities have chosen to pursue the case. Murder is generally prosecuted at the state level. However, in this case, federal prosecutors used gun-related charges as an entry point for escalating the legal stakes to include a death sentence.

Manhunt ends in memorable arrest

After Thompson was gunned down outside the hotel, investigators say Mangione fled north through Manhattan’s Central Park. From there, he reportedly took a cab to a regional bus terminal, managing to elude law enforcement for five days.

On Dec. 9, 2024, acting on a tip, police arrested him outside a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania -- nearly 233 miles away from the crime scene. Surveillance footage had earlier captured a man resembling the suspect entering the HI Hostel on the Upper West Side, helping to narrow the search.

Inside the recovered backpack, investigators found a gun and ammunition. Some of the bullets bore phrases like “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” -- slogans that critics have associated with health insurance denials. Although authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive, the evidence raised speculative connections to broader frustrations with the healthcare industry.

Federal prosecutors seek ultimate penalty

In April, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi formally authorized prosecutors to seek the death penalty if Mangione is convicted. She described the killing as a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”

The decision emphasized the federal government’s commitment to aggressively pursue retribution for murders involving corporate leaders and incidents with wide societal impact. Bondi’s statement also reflected the gravity with which officials interpreted the symbolism of the attack.

Since his capture, Mangione has remained in custody without bail at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. He last appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court in September 2025 for related state proceedings.

Lessons to learn

1. Understand your legal rights. Whether as a suspect or a witness, it's crucial to know that law enforcement must read a person their Miranda rights before initiating a custodial interrogation. Failure to do so can invalidate collected statements, as Mangione’s defense is now arguing.

2. Increased risk surrounds high-profile events. Executives attending public-facing corporate events are potential targets. This case underscores the importance of robust personal security for corporate figures, even in controlled urban environments.

3. Evidence collection must follow procedures. Searches made without a warrant may be thrown out in court. Law enforcement agencies must conduct their investigations by the book, or risk jeopardizing an entire case. That said, even when every measure is taken, crime can affect anyone, and victims are never to blame.

Why this story matters

This case highlights how legal defense strategies can shape the future of a major criminal trial and potentially squash the most serious charges. It also urges public discussions about the safety of public figures and the role of federal law in capital punishment cases.

As outrage builds following high-profile corporate crimes, the public remains invested in precisely how justice is pursued.