Luigi Mangione's legal team withdraws intention to invoke psychiatric defense
Luigi Mangione's legal team on Thursday withdrew its intention to invoke a psychiatric defense in the state trial over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, one day after announcing it in court, a court filing shows.
"The defense respectfully withdraws CPL § 250.10 notice at this time," a one-line notice by the defense said.
The decision to withdraw a psychiatric defense comes the same day Mangione faced a deadline to turn over records of his psychiatric history to the Manhattan district attorney's office.
Mangione no longer has to turn over those records and Judge Gregory Carro ruled court documents memorializing the defense legal strategy will no longer be unsealed.
"In light of the defendant's withdrawal of CPL § 250.10 notice, the court's previous order sealing certain transcripts, emails, and documents, remains in effect," Carro said.
Before Thursday's withdrawal, the defense indicated it was prepared to argue to a jury that Mangione suffered an "extreme emotional disturbance" before he allegedly killed Thompson.
Also on Thursday, Judge Carro unsealed a transcript from a hearing earlier this year during which defense lawyers said Mangione was undergoing psychiatric testing.
According to the transcript, the defense conceded during that hearing that raising a psychiatric defense would require Mangione to concede he committed the crime.
"If a defendant goes with an [extreme emotional disturbance] defense, they're essentially admitting publicly that they committed this crime," defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo said, according to the transcript.
Mangione pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges after he was arrested for allegedly gunning down Thompson, a husband and father of two, on a Midtown Manhattan street in December 2024.
Mangione's state trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8 and his federal trial is set for next year.
Carro on Wednesday also agreed to dismiss one of the criminal counts related to possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine.
