Manhattan DA Seeks July Trial for Accused UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer

Luigi Mangione faces state and federal charges for the 2024 assassination-style killing of Brian Thompson.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:39pm

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The Manhattan district attorney's office is requesting that Luigi Mangione stand trial in state court starting on July 1, at least three months ahead of when he could face trial in federal court. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges stemming from the assassination-style killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024.

Why it matters

This high-profile murder case has spread fear and shock throughout Manhattan, and the state has a significant interest in upholding the right to life, maintaining public order, and delivering justice for a crime committed within its jurisdiction.

The details

Federal judge Margaret Garnett said Mangione would stand trial in federal court in October if the death penalty is eliminated as a possible sentence, or in January 2027 if it remains an option. The Manhattan DA's office argues there are "significant state interests" in putting Mangione on trial sooner, and that the federal government expects the state case to proceed first. The defense has sought to suppress evidence pulled from Mangione's backpack, including the alleged murder weapon, but the judge is expected to rule on that in May.

  • Mangione is set to stand trial in state court starting on July 1, 2026.
  • Mangione's federal trial is scheduled for October 2026 if the death penalty is eliminated, or January 2027 if it remains an option.
  • The judge in the state case is expected to rule on the defense's motion to suppress evidence in May 2026.

The players

Luigi Mangione

The accused killer who has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges for the assassination-style murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in 2024.

Brian Thompson

The UnitedHealthcare CEO who was killed in an assassination-style attack in Manhattan in December 2024.

Joel Seidemann

An assistant district attorney in the Manhattan district attorney's office, who argued in a letter that the state case against Mangione should proceed first.

Margaret Garnett

The federal judge overseeing Mangione's federal trial, who said he would stand trial in October 2026 if the death penalty is eliminated, or January 2027 if it remains an option.

Gregory Carro

The judge presiding over Mangione's state case, who is weighing a defense request to suppress evidence pulled from Mangione's backpack.

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What they’re saying

“This heinous crime happened in midtown Manhattan, one of the busiest commercial areas in this County and spread fear and shock throughout Manhattan. New York State unquestionably has a deep interest in, upholding the fundamental right to life, maintaining public order, and delivering justice for a murder committed in its jurisdiction.”

— Joel Seidemann, Assistant District Attorney

“Federal law supports our request that we proceed first and our right to a speedy resolution of this case would be severely compromised should the federal trial proceed first.”

— Joel Seidemann, Assistant District Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the state case is expected to rule on the defense's motion to suppress evidence in May 2026, ahead of the scheduled July 1 trial start date.

The takeaway

This high-profile murder case highlights the complex legal and jurisdictional issues that can arise when a crime is prosecuted at both the state and federal level. The Manhattan DA's push for an earlier state trial reflects the state's strong interest in delivering justice for a crime committed within its borders.