Luigi Mangione, who is facing charges related to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, received a judicial ruling on Monday allowing him access to a laptop while in federal custody.
Newsweek reached out to Mangione’s legal team for comment.
Why It Matters
The decision came as Mangione prepares to fight multiple federal and state charges linked to the December 2024 shooting of Thompson in Manhattan, including murder with a firearm, forgery and identity falsification. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case against Mangione is one of the most closely watched federal murder prosecutions in recent years. Mangione is eligible for the death penalty if convicted of federal murder. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty earlier this year.
What To Know
Mangione’s attorneys argued that allowing the defendant to use a laptop in jail is crucial for his ability to prepare for trial and participate in his own defense.
The judge determined Mangione may have access to a laptop prepared by the government seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The defense said the hours are consistent with the way the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn, where Mangione is being held, allows other inmates to access discovery laptops.
Prosecutors said they will give the computer to an outside vendor to disable the laptop’s connections to the internet, printers and wireless networks in compliance with MDC Brooklyn’s regulations. The government will then upload all non-sensitive discovery before sending the laptop to MDC Brooklyn.
The defense said the government has provided nearly 7 terabytes of discovery, including body-worn camera footage and other videos.
State prosecutors opposed a previous request for a laptop from Mangione’s legal team, CBS New York reported.
What People Are Saying
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo and Jacob Kaplan, attorneys for Luigi Mangione, in a letter: “To adequately prepare for trial and assist in his own defense, Mr. Mangione requires access to his discovery on a laptop at the MDC.”
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, in a March court filing obtained by CBS New York: “MDC assured the People that this defendant has ample access to desktop computers where he is housed to review discovery, conduct legal research, send emails, and draft motions.”
What Happens Next
The next court date in Mangione’s New York state case is scheduled for September 16. Mangione remains detained without bail as both federal and state prosecutions move forward.
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