Defense Team Drops Planned Psychiatric Argument in Mangione Murder Trial

New York – Attorneys for 28-year-old Luigi Mangione told state Judge Gregory Carro on Thursday that they will not present psychiatric evidence at his upcoming murder trial. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street.

The decision reverses a position expressed at a hearing the day before, when the defense indicated that Mangione was undergoing psychiatric evaluation and might argue that he acted under "extreme emotional disturbance." In a brief letter to the judge, the lawyers wrote that "at this time" they do not intend to introduce such evidence.

Former Manhattan prosecutor Gary Galperin described the change as a "stunning reversal" and said the reasons remain speculative. He added that the focus now shifts to what defense the team will pursue.

During the earlier hearing, Judge Carro ordered the defense to share psychiatric information with prosecutors, stating the need to understand the alleged condition and its link to emotional distress. Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Joel Seidemann complained that the defense had been "stonewalling" by not providing the requested medical details.

Lead counsel Karen Friedman Agnifilo denied any delay or improper withholding of information. Legal analyst Richard Schoenstein noted that withdrawing the psychiatric defense may allow the team to avoid the court’s deadline for producing such evidence, though re-introducing it later would be more difficult.

The case has attracted significant public interest, partly because Mangione has criticized the health-insurance industry. Judge Carro had previously indicated that certain court documents related to the psychiatric claim would be made public, but his later order kept those materials sealed after the defense’s withdrawal.