Luigi Mangione, 28, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel in December 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges.
On 18 June 2026, Mangione’s lawyers withdrew notice to present psychiatric evidence at his New York state murder trial, only a day after the court revealed that his defence team was considering an argument based on “extreme emotional disturbance” (EED).
The abrupt change came after a sealed notice under New York Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) 250.10, which the defence said it served on 30 September 2025, was publicly disclosed in court this week and withdrawn by the defence the next day. The provision requires defendants to notify prosecutors and the court if they intend to introduce psychiatric evidence at trial.
The redacted transcript was made public at approximately 9pm BST and, around two hours later, reporters were notified that the transcript was resealed. By then, the transcript had already been disseminated to the public.
In a brief filing, Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said the defence “respectfully withdraws CPL 250.10 notice at this time”. The defence has thus stepped back from using formal psychiatric evidence, such as expert testimony or mental health records, to support that argument. However, it can still raise an EED defence later on.
Judge Gregory Carro also issued an order stating that, “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”.
Extreme emotional disturbance
Extreme emotional disturbance is not an insanity defence which seeks a not guilty verdict. An insanity defence argues that the defendant lacked intent to commit the crime due to insanity. Instead, EED is a partial defence to intentional murder. It argues that the defendant committed the murder under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance for which there was a reasonable explanation or excuse, such that the murder conviction should be reduced to manslaughter.
If successful, an EED defence can significantly truncate sentencing exposure. Second-degree murder is a class A-1 felony in New York, carrying a minimum term of 15 to 25 years, and a maximum of life imprisonment. First-degree manslaughter is a class B felony, with a lower sentence of 5 to 25 years.
“Mangionista” press
The legal reversal also comes as Mangione’s court appearances continue to attract attention for defence supporters who have obtained New York City press credentials. Particularly, the self-described “Mangionistas” have drawn scrutiny after appearing outside court wearing press credentials and making violent political remarks.
One credentialed Mangionista, Abril Rios, told reporters that she wanted to see Donald Trump “hanging in the town square by his balls,” and added, “Trump, I’m coming for you, baby”. She later claimed that Secret Service officers came to her home for potentially threatening the President of the United States and defended the statements as her “First Amendment Rights”. The First Amendment does not cover threats of violence.
According to the New York Post, there are also other supporters turned press including Julie Keyser, who has two tattoos of Mangione’s signature. One is allegedly from a letter he sent her from jail.
Mangione’s state trial is currently scheduled to begin 8 September 2026, and the federal trial 13 October 2026.
The Manhattan Criminal Courthouse has been approached for comment.
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