Alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione returned to a New York City courtroom on Friday for a brief appearance in his state murder case, during which his attorney said there are “very serious issues” with some of the evidence in the case.

The afternoon appearance in Manhattan’s State Supreme Court marked Mangione’s first hearing since his arraignment on the state charges in late December 2024, when he pleaded not guilty to murder charges that include an enhancement for terrorism.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief executive Brian Thompson, appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on New York state murder and terrorism charges in New York City, Feb. 21, 2025.

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On top of his forest green cable knit sweater and crisp white collared shirt, Mangione wore a bulletproof flak jacket, wrist and leg shackles. At the start of the 40-minute hearing, his lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, asked the judge to allow Mangione’s shackles to be removed because, she argued, they unfairly cast him in a criminal light, particularly given the “highly publicized” nature of the case.

The judge declined, saying officials would prefer Mangione remain shackled “for security reasons.”

The shackled feet of Luigi Mangione, accused killer of UnitedHealth Group chief executive Brian Thompson, are seen as he attends a hearing at the Manhattan Supreme Court in New York City, Feb. 21, 2025.

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His lawyer alleged that there are “very serious issues” with how police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, obtained evidence from the accused United Healthcare CEO killer, even with the small amount of discovery they have received thus far, she said. The “limited” amount will require more time to prepare, she said.

Prosecutors leading the case against Mangione said a “robust amount” of evidence had already been turned over, including police body camera and NYPD surveillance footage; DNA and ballistics testing results; and the fingerprints recovered from near the scene of the shooting on a Midtown Manhattan street. They have also turned over cellphone data and phone records, with more to be turned over in the coming weeks, they said.

What’s been handed over barely scratches the surface of sufficient, Friedman Agnifilo contested. The “limited” information the defense had seen so far — such as a body worn camera from when Mangione was taken into Pennsylvania custody — already indicate her client’s “constitutional rights were violated,” she insisted.

“I think there’s a very, very serious search issue in this matter, and there might be evidence that is suppressed,” she said.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief executive Brian Thompson, appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on New York state murder and terrorism charges in New York City, Feb. 21, 2025.

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His defense has filed a motion to exclude from trial some of the evidence Altoona police got from Mangione immediately after his arrest.

“We are concerned that Luigi’s constitutional rights were violated in Pennsylvania,” Friedman Agnifilo, told reporters outside the courthouse following the hearing, claiming there are “serious search and seizure issues” they will be litigating in his state cases in Pennsylvania and New York as well as his federal case.

“It is alleged that Luigi had a gun on him and had other property on him that they are going to use against him in all of the cases,” she continued. “If there is a search and seizure issue — and again, we have to review all of the paperwork and camera footage when we receive it, before we say definitively whether we think there is one — but so far, what we are seeing is, we think there is a serious search and seizure issue.”

Friedman Agnifilo also said it was “shocking” to see the NYPD’s chief of detectives and New York City Mayor Eric Adams give an interview in a documentary that aired this week “talking about police paperwork” that they had not received until now and “hearing an actor play Luigi, reading from a journal that they say is Luigi’s, and we have yet to receive it from the prosecution.”

“It’s outrageous that they have time to go and prejudice Mr. Mangione’s ability to receive a fair trial and go out and make these statements, but not give this to us,” she said.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief executive Brian Thompson, arrives for a hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court on New York state murder and terrorism charges in New York City, Feb. 21, 2025.

Friedman Agnifilo also had a message for Mangione’s supporters, who were gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse on Friday during his court appearance.

“Luigi really wanted to thank the supporters for being here, and we all appreciate it very much,” she said.

Even on the 15th floor, through an open window in the courtroom, sporadic cheering and shouting could be heard from the protest held during the hearing.

The judge set an April 9 deadline for all defense motions, with a response from prosecutors by May 14, and said he expects to issue rulings by June 26.

A trial date has yet to be set in the case.

Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted of the state charges.

He remains in custody at a federal detention center in Brooklyn.

Police respond as CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson, 50, was shot as he entered the New York Hilton, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York.

Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

Mangione, 26, also faces federal charges, including one that could yield the death penalty, but he has not yet been indicted by a federal grand jury. His next date in federal court is in mid-March.

The possibility that Mangione could face capital punishment is an “extremely serious matter,” Mangione’s lawyer said Friday, for which they’re currently providing mitigation and why it’s “critical” for all discovery to be handed over before “before we can begin.”

Mangione is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in front of the Hilton in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024, as the CEO headed to an investors conference, in an act that prosecutors said was premeditated, targeted and “intended to evoke terror.”

His defense team has alleged the case was being politicized and has vowed to fight the state and federal charges.

Protesters hold signs outside the Criminal Court where Luigi Mangione, accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson will attend a hearing in New York City, Feb, 21, 2025.

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The New York state and federal cases are in addition to the charges brought against Mangione in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested following a dayslong manhunt and faces charges including forgery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Mangione made his first formal statement last week since his arrest on a website launched by his New York defense team, in which he thanked his supporters.

“I am overwhelmed by — and grateful for — everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support,” he said in the statement on Feb. 14. “Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions, as mail has flooded MDC from across the country, and around the globe. While it is impossible for me to reply to most letters, please know that I read every one that I receive.”