Murder suspect plans psychiatric defense in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Luigi Mangione has told the court he will rely on a psychiatric defense, arguing that he was suffering from extreme emotional disturbance when he shot UnitedHealthcare chief Brian Thompson.

If a jury accepts that defense, Mangione could be convicted of manslaughter rather than murder, limiting any sentence to a maximum of 25 years in prison instead of a potential life term. The emotional disturbance claim is not available in his parallel federal case, where a life sentence remains possible.

New York Judge Gregory Carro announced the defense strategy after a secret hearing requested by Mangione’s lawyers. The judge said a transcript and related records will be unsealed once redacted, and noted the defense was first raised in a sealed letter filed last year.