Luigi Mangione drops psychiatric defense in CEO murder case

Defense attorneys for Luigi Mangione have abandoned plans to pursue a psychiatric defense in the murder case involving UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

(NBC)- Defense attorneys for Luigi Mangione have abandoned plans to pursue a psychiatric defense in the murder case involving UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The decision was announced Thursday, just one day after attorneys indicated they intended to argue that Mangione was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance at the time of the December 2024 shooting. The change in strategy came as defense lawyers faced a court deadline to provide evidence supporting the claim. Court records also show that a previously sealed hearing related to the proposed defense has now been made public.

Had the defense moved forward successfully, it could have reduced a potential murder conviction to a manslaughter conviction. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges stemming from Thompson’s death.

The case remains pending as prosecutors and defense attorneys continue preparing for trial.