Luigi Mangione, 27, returned to a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday for the first time in five months. He faces state murder and terrorism charges in connection with the shooting death of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The incident occurred on December 4, 2024, as Thompson walked toward a hotel in Midtown Manhattan for an investor conference.

Mangione is accused of using a 9 mm handgun equipped with a silencer to kill Thompson. Following a days-long manhunt, he was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where police found him at a McDonald's. Authorities reported that he was carrying a backpack containing the alleged murder weapon, a fake ID, and a red notebook with writings that included, "The target is insurance. It checks every box."

In court, Mangione's defense team is seeking to dismiss the murder indictment, arguing that he faces federal charges for the same crime. They also want to suppress evidence obtained during his arrest, including items found in his backpack and statements made to law enforcement. The defense claims that the search was illegal due to a lack of a warrant.

A federal grand jury indicted Mangione in April on multiple charges, including stalking and firearms offenses, which could lead to the death penalty if he is convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both state and federal courts. His attorneys argue that the simultaneous prosecutions create an "untenable situation" and have requested that the state case be dismissed or put on hold.

Prosecutors are pushing for a trial date to be set. Mangione is also required to appear in a Pennsylvania court for pretrial motions related to state charges there. He is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

The defense has raised concerns about double jeopardy, claiming it is unprecedented for Mangione to defend himself against both state and federal charges simultaneously. They argue that the state charges should be dismissed, citing past cases where state prosecutors deferred to federal authorities in similar situations.

In addition to murder, Mangione faces charges of second-degree murder as a crime of terrorism, which prosecutors argue was intended to intimidate the public. However, the defense contends that the terrorism charges should be dismissed, as they believe the law applies to attacks on multiple individuals, not a single victim.

Mangione's case has garnered significant public attention, with supporters attending court hearings and raising over $1.2 million through an online fundraiser. If convicted in New York, he could face a life sentence, while the federal case could result in the death penalty.

As the legal proceedings continue, Mangione's attorneys have not disclosed whether they will pursue a psychiatric defense. The court hearing on Tuesday did not include video coverage, but press cameras were present to capture Mangione's arrival and departure.