In a surprising turn of events, Luigi Mangione’s attorneys announced that they would no longer pursue a psychiatric defence during his state murder trial in Manhattan.
The plan, which had hinged on the claim that Mangione was suffering from “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealth Chief Executive Brian Thompson, was dropped just a day after the lawyers briefed Judge Gregory Carro about the strategy.
Had the psychiatric argument reached the jury, it might have led to a manslaughter conviction rather than murder, potentially resulting in a shorter jail term, according to legal expert Richard Schoenstein.
Judge Carro had previously warned that prosecutors would need supporting documentation by a Thursday deadline. The lawyers’ last‑minute change comes ahead of that requirement.
Mangione, 28, has pleaded not guilty in both the federal and state cases. He will next appear before the court on 11 August, with the state trial set to commence on 8 September.
The case also carries federal stalking charges, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
