Judge to decide if key evidence can be used in Luigi Mangione's state trial

A New York judge will decide Monday if evidence found in Luigi Mangione's backpack during his arrest can be used during his state trial. Mangione is being tried on both federal and state charges for the December 2024 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He pleaded not guilty in both cases. The judge is expected to rule on the defense's bid to suppress evidence found in the bag, including a 3D-printed gun, silencer and a notebook. Mangione's lawyers say their client was unlawfully searched when he was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona , Pennsylvania. The defense said law enforcement should've obtained a warrant before looking in the backpack. Prosecutors say the search was legal and part of standard police procedure. They said the backpack was searched after Mangione gave a false identity to officers. The judge in Mangione's federal case ruled in January that the backpack evidence can be admitted. Legal expert weighs in Legal expert Richard Schoenstein, who isn't affiliated with the case, said this hearing is critical for the trial. "The gun and the writing that suggest a motive are pretty much the best evidence in the case," he said. When a person is taken into custody, police are able to pat them down. But what makes this situation tricky is that Mangione wasn't wearing the backpack when he was arrested. "If you have a bag on you, generally that's fair game too. …