A New York State Supreme Court judge has handed down a split-decision ruling on evidence in Luigi Mangione's murder trial. Judge Gregory Carro ruled that the backpack search at the Pennsylvania McDonald's where Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, was unconstitutional. However, he allowed key evidence discovered in a separate inventory search to be admitted.
"I find that the search of the backpack at the McDonald's was an improper warrantless search," Carro stated from the bench, according to Rolling Stone.
The judge allowed the 3D-printed gun, silencer, and red notebook into evidence because they were discovered during an inventory search at the Altoona police precinct, not at McDonald's. Mangione's defense team had argued that officers violated his constitutional rights during the initial arrest, claiming the backpack was not within his immediate control when it was opened.
Evidence suppressed from the McDonald's search includes a magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet, and computer chip. The defense attorney questioned whether Officer Christy Wasser knew the gun was there before opening the bag, but Wasser denied the allegation.
The notebook remains admissible and could prove significant at trial. Also admitted are the USB drive allegedly found on Mangione's necklace and the fake ID he allegedly provided under the name Mark Rosario.
Mangione, 26, has pleaded not guilty to all state and federal charges in connection with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
