Manhattan judge suppresses backpack-search evidence in Mangione murder case

A Manhattan judge ruled that evidence seized from Luigi Mangione’s backpack at a McDonald’s must be suppressed as an improper warrantless search, while evidence found later at the police station, including the alleged murder weapon, is admissible; Mangione’s notebook may still be admitted since it was not opened or searched at the McDonald’s. The defendant, accused of killing Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel, faces state and federal charges, with the state case having two top-murder counts tossed earlier this year but nine counts including second-degree murder remaining; a federal trial is scheduled for January 2027. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.