NEW YORK (TNND) — The New York murder case against Luigi Mangione continues on Thursday, on the anniversary of the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione, 27, pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges. Ahead of any trials, his lawyers are trying to bar prosecutors from using evidence — including a gun and a notebook — they say link him to the killing.

According to prosecutors, Mangione described in his notebook his intent to “wack” a health insurance executive and the 9mm handgun matches the firearm used in the killing.

Thompson, 50, was shot from behind as he walked to an investor conference on Dec. 4, 2024. He became UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in 2021 and had worked within parent UnitedHealth Group Inc. for 20 years.

The hearing that began on Monday is expected to go into next week and only applies to the state case.

Some of the testimony heard so far includes a Pennsylvania police officer describing how he “knew” it was Mangione as soon as he took off his medical mask at the Altoona McDonald’s, where he was taken into custody.

Defense lawyers have argued in court filings that officers “strategically” stood in a way that prevented Mangione from leaving the restaurant, but Officer Joseph Detwiler testified that he never told Mangione he couldn’t leave, nor mentioned the New York shooting

They interacted with Mangione for roughly 20 minutes before telling him he had the right to remain silent. The officers asked his name, whether he’d been in New York recently and other questions, including: “Why are you nervous?”

Mangione’s lawyers argue that his statements shouldn’t be allowed as trial evidence because officers started questioning him before reading his rights. The defense contends the backpack items should be excluded because police didn’t get a warrant before searching his bag.

Manhattan prosecutors haven’t yet detailed their arguments for allowing the disputed evidence. Federal prosecutors have maintained that police were justified in searching the backpack to ensure there was nothing dangerous inside and that Mangione’s statements to officers were voluntary and made before he was under arrest.

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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.