Luigi Mangione to pursue psychiatric defense at trial

June 17, 2026

1–2 minutes

Summary

Luigi Mangione’s lawyers said they will argue he was in “extreme emotional disturbance” during the 2024 killing of Brian Thompson.

Why this matters

The defense could affect whether jurors consider manslaughter rather than murder, with major consequences for sentencing. The case also continues in both state and federal court, where Mangione faces possible life sentences.

Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, will argue a psychiatric defense at trial.

Judge Gregory Carro said Wednesday that Mangione’s lawyers told the court they would argue he was in a state of “extreme emotional disturbance” when he allegedly carried out the December 2024 shooting.

Under New York law, defendants in murder cases can argue they were not fully responsible for their actions because they were in a state of extreme emotional disturbance at the time of a killing.

An emotional-disturbance defense would amount to an acknowledgment that Mangione carried out the shooting, but under impaired judgment. It is different from an insanity plea, which could result in a sentence being served in a psychiatric facility rather than prison.

Thompson was killed outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Police said the words “delay”, “deny”, and “depose” were written on the suspect’s ammunition, which they described as a reference to how health insurers avoid paying claims.

Mangione, 28, previously pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges connected to the killing. He sat between two lawyers in a blue suit during Wednesday’s hearing.

His state trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8. His federal trial, which includes stalking charges, is set to begin Oct. 13.

He could face life in prison if convicted in either case.

In January, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed murder and weapons charges in the federal case on technical grounds, removing the possibility that Mangione could face the death penalty.

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