NEW YORK (TNND) — Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, arrived in federal court on Wednesday in hopes of delaying his upcoming trial.
Mangione’s legal team is arguing he cannot adequately prepare for overlapping cases.
He is expected to ask a Manhattan judge to postpone his federal trial, which is currently scheduled for September, citing conflicts with a separate state trial set to begin in June.
Mangione faces federal charges tied to Thompson’s death. Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, as he walked to a midtown Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference.
Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Police said the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.
Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate from a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested five days later after he was spotted eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles west of Manhattan.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty and also faces multiple charges in a parallel state case.
Defense attorneys argue that preparing for two major trials at the same time would violate Mangione’s constitutional rights and limit his ability to participate fully in his defense, including reviewing jury materials and consulting with attorneys.
Prosecutors have opposed delaying the federal proceedings, saying adjustments could be made to the trial schedule without pushing the case back months.
The case has drawn widespread attention since the 2024 killing, which prompted a nationwide manhunt and intensified debate over the U.S. healthcare system.
Mangione remains in custody as the court weighs whether to grant the delay request.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.