As the anniversary of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s tragic murder approaches, the accused, Luigi Mangione, is set to appear in court this Monday. The court will hear defense motions aimed at excluding pivotal evidence from the forthcoming trial, notably the firearm allegedly utilized in the crime.

In an effort to strengthen their case, Mangione’s legal representatives have filed a motion to suppress the 9mm handgun and various items discovered in his backpack following his arrest, which occurred five days after the fatal shooting. They contend that these items were seized during an unlawful search, as reported by The Associated Press. Additionally, the defense seeks to exclude statements Mangione made to law enforcement, arguing that he was interrogated without having been read his Miranda rights.

The proceedings are part of the New York state case against the 27-year-old Mangione. In a previous development reported by CrimeOnline, a state judge recently dropped a terrorism charge against him in September, leaving the accusations of murder and criminal possession of a weapon intact. Mangione has maintained a plea of not guilty to these charges, as well as to related firearms charges in Pennsylvania, where his arrest took place, and federal charges that include murder, stalking, and firearms offenses.

Federal authorities have announced their intention to pursue the death penalty in this case.

The allegations against Mangione are grave, with prosecutors accusing him of ambushing Thompson on December 4, 2024, as the CEO was attending an investors meeting in Manhattan. The incident, which took place on a city sidewalk, led to an extensive manhunt that concluded with Mangione’s capture at a fast-food outlet in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

The AP reports that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has quoted extensively from a notebook found in Mangioni’s backpack in its court filings, using those quotes to establish motive in the shooting. Prosecutors said that Mangione wrote about “the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel” and said that an executive from such a company was “a greedy bastard that had it coming.”

Mangione’s notebook reportedly noted the United States “has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy,” while specifically mentioning UnitedHealthcare as one of the largest corporations in the United States. It is the largest insurance company in the country.

Prosecutors have not responded in writing to the defense’s written motions, which argue that an officer was heard on a body camera recording saying she was checking Mangione’s backpack for a bomb, which the defense said was “designed to cover up an illegal warrantless search of the backpack.”

Federal prosecutors have responded to similar motions in their car, arguing that the search was justified to ensure there were no dangerous items. Mangione’s statements before he was read his rights — which included giving a false name — were made voluntarily before he was arrested.

The state court hearings may last more than a week.

Mangione is being held without bond.