HEALTHCARE ASSASSIN LUIGI MANTIONE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY BEHIND BARS WITH $1.5 MILLION

iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

23 May 2026

As Luigi Mangione waits for a September 8, state trial date, he celebrated his birthday behind bars. Donors continue to pad his defense fund which now tops $1.5 million dollars.  Mangione is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, and is preparing for back-to-back trials in New York.  His federal trial begins October 13. A New York judge recently issued a split ruling regarding what evidence prosecutors can use at his trial. The judge ruled that the initial warrantless search of Mangione’s backpack at a Pennsylvania McDonald's was improper, suppressing items like a gun magazine, cell phone, passport, and wallet from the state trial.  However, the judge determined that a subsequent search of the bag at the police station was a valid inventory search. This allows prosecutors to present a 3D-printed pistol and a notebook containing statements about targeting health insurance executives. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all state and federal charges. He faces up to life in prison if convicted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.