By Corinne Ramey

A New York judge ruled Monday that prosecutors can use a notebook and gun found in Luigi Mangione's backpack as evidence in his upcoming trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, but barred other items seized when he was arrested.

Judge Gregory Carro in Manhattan state court wrote that the initial search of the backpack at the McDonald's in Pennsylvania didn't meet the legal requirements for conducting a search without a warrant. "The evidence found during the search of the backpack at the McDonald's must be suppressed, including the magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip," he wrote.

Evidence recovered from a later search, at a police station, was handled properly, the judge said. "The cataloguing and photographing of the notebook was a valid part of the inventory search," he wrote.

Mangione, who wore a navy blazer, watched the hearing Monday from the defense table in a Manhattan courtroom. After the judge announced his ruling, Mangione supporters in the back pews of the gallery gasped in surprise.

His state trial is scheduled to start Sept. 8. Prosecutors alleged that on Dec. 4, 2024, Mangione killed Thompson in midtown Manhattan, kicking off a dayslong manhunt that ended with his arrest at the Pennsylvania McDonald's. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state charges and a separate federal case.

In the federal case, the judge ruled that prosecutors could use the backpack evidence in question. That trial is scheduled to start later this fall.

Write to Corinne Ramey at corinne.ramey@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 18, 2026 10:48 ET (14:48 GMT)

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