Northeast
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect could see most serious charge downgraded: defense attorney
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione’s “only viable chance” of success in his murder case is “some type of psychiatric defense,” according to New York-based attorney Daniel Gotlin.
Gotlin, of Gotlin & Jaffe, successfully tried a mental health defense in 2014 while representing a man accused of fatally stabbing his mother.
“My guess is they should try some kind of psychiatric defense where it mitigates his intent to do this in the hopes that instead of getting convicted of murder, he gets convicted of manslaughter,” he told Fox News Digital. “Even if he gets the maximum, which is eight to 24 years … he could still get out. You know, you may spend 15, 16 to 18 years in, but at least one day you’re going to get out.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Tuesday announced that a grand jury indicted Mangione on one count of first-degree murder, in furtherance of terrorism; two counts of second-degree murder; two counts of second-degree criminal weapons possession; four counts of third-degree criminal weapons possession; one count of fourth-degree criminal weapons possession; and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
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Luigi Mangione shouts while officers restrain him as he arrives for his extradition hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa., on Dec. 10, 2024. (David Dee Delgado for Fox News Digital)
Bragg called Mangione’s alleged actions “premeditated” and “targeted” in a Tuesday statement.
Mangione faces additional charges involving the alleged murder weapon and forged identification in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested.
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Under New York law, first-degree murder charges are reserved for specific circumstances, such as the murder of a police officer or if the crime involved torture. Second-degree murder is the charge for intentional murder and still carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Luigi Mangione (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
“Anybody who thinks they’re going to win the case based on facts [is] either incompetent or just completely out of their minds,” Gotlin said. “There is no way that that could happen, not the way I see the evidence.”
Evidence collected by authorities so far includes a manifesto that Altoona, Pennsylvania, police apparently found in Mangione’s backpack when they arrested him at a McDonald’s location on Dec. 9. Officials also allege a 3D-printed gun and suppressor found on Mangione during his arrest match a description of the weapon used in Thompson’s murder.
“In my view, the only viable chance, and I’m not saying it’s a viable defense, is some type of psychiatric defense.”
Additionally, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Dec. 11 that police matched the gun recovered from Mangione in Pennsylvania to shell casings found outside the Hilton where Thompson was gunned down from behind on the sidewalk. They also have his fingerprints on a snack bar wrapper and a water bottle, she said.
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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024. (Businesswire | NYPD Crimestoppers)
Mangione’s own lawyer, before she was retained, predicted an insanity defense in a CNN interview.
“It looks to me like there might be a not guilty by reason of insanity defense that they’re going to be thinking about because the evidence is going to be so overwhelming that he did what he did,” Karen Friedman Agnifilo told the outlet.
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Her office declined comment to Fox News Digital. Mangione’s Pennsylvania attorney, Thomas Dickey, has not responded to multiple requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Luigi Mangione (Luigi Mangione/Facebook)
Still, others have suggested that the level of planning that appears to have gone into the slaying could make an insanity defense difficult.
“For example of an extreme emotional distress defense, a guy walks up to somebody on the subway and stabs somebody, then he drops the knife and stands there, and he’s got previous mental health issues. He’s hearing voices,” said Louis Gelormino, a New York City criminal defense attorney who previously represented a client who stabbed both of his parents and argued such a defense. “He’s not planning a getaway, he doesn’t have false ID, he doesn’t have a silencer on his weapon. Those are the things that show, no matter what you do, you did know what you were doing.”
Another mental health option, but not necessarily a defense, would involve arguing that Mangione is unfit to stand trial, Gelormino said. If his lawyers succeed there, he would potentially be hospitalized until he’s fit enough to go before the court and then go to trial anyway.
Luigi Mangione is led into the Blair County Courthouse for an extradition hearing on Dec. 10, 2024, in Hollidaysburg, Pa. (Jeff Swensen)
A masked gunman ambushed Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, outside a Manhattan Hilton hotel about an hour and 45 minutes before he was supposed to take part in the company’s annual shareholder conference, which had been publicly announced.
The suspect, who police believe was Mangione, checked into a hostel on the Upper West Side with a fake ID, paid cash and is believed to have escaped the Big Apple within an hour of the slaying.
The 26-year-old suspect is originally from Maryland and has recently lived in California and Hawaii. Mangione graduated valedictorian from the Gilman School, a private, all-boys high school in Baltimore, in 2016. He went on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group/File)
“Now, it seems to me that, based on what I see in this kid, he clearly had some kind of break with reality,” Gotlin said. “Based on what I see, he had everything going for him. And … I’m not a psychiatrist. I’ve done other psychiatric cases. I mean, it’s conceivable he’s developed schizophrenia or some kind of psychiatric disorder over the last several years and is completely delusional.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, most schizophrenia cases are diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 30, although males typically develop the condition at the earlier half of that range.
WHO IS LUIGI MANGIONE, SUSPECT IN UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO MURDER?
UnitedHealthcare CEO slaying suspect Luigi Mangione is shown at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa., on Dec. 9, 2024. (Pennsylvania State Police)
Experts say it’s too early to speculate about a potential defense or plea deal, or even a motive for that matter, despite an alleged manifesto in the suspect’s handwriting.
“Right now is too early to make a decision on pleading him out because he may not have been of sound mind at the time of the shooting,” said Lara Yeretsian, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney who has represented high-profile defendants including Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson. “What untethered thinking could have caused Luigi Mangione to go after an insurance executive? There is nothing to indicate he was denied coverage, and we know he comes from an affluent background, so money was not an issue.”
“Even though he had written a manifesto, the shooting may have been the product of a delusional and unsound mind, a defense his lawyers would have to consider before having him admit guilt,” she added.
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Five baseball and softball teams from the Pittsburgh area brought home hardware from Penn State University earlier this week after winning PIAA state championship titles.
Indiana goes back-to-back, beats Holy Ghost Prep 6-5 to win 4A baseball title
With a 6-5 win vs. Holy Ghost Prep on Thursday, Indiana became just the fifth baseball team from the WPIAL to win back-to-back state championships.
Indiana (22-4) held a 6-3 lead through 5 innings, holding on in bottom of the 7th to win the game and earn gold at Penn State University’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Brady Oakes got the win on the mound for Indiana, striking out four batters while Charlie Manzi came into the game in a relief role, striking out five and getting the save.
“It was harder this year,” Indiana coach Dan Petroff said to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We got everybody’s best effort every game and that made it more special. This feels like we ran a marathon and now we’re done. We can breathe a little, I guess.”
Shaler Area with 5A softball title with 10-0 mercy rule win vs. Abington Heights
Shaler Area made it back to the top of the mountain for high school softball in Pennsylvania, beating Abington Heights on Friday with a mercy rule victory at Penn State’s Nittany Lion Softball Park.
Bria Bosiljevac struck out eight batters on the mound for Shaler (24-1), shutting out Abington Heights while only allowing one hit.
Haley Machajewski ended the game in the 5th inning, hitting a walk-off grand slam to claim gold for Shaler.
“It really was everything. It’s full circle since we started,” Machajewski said. “Our freshman year winning silver, to come back and win gold and walk it off, especially as my last hit — this program has given me so much, and that was a great way to give back to it.”
“I’m so excited for them,” Shaler coach Tom Sorce said to the Post-Gazette. “All year, they wanted to get back here and do the job since we lost in 2023. I’m so happy for them.”
Union beats Holy Cross 7-3 to win second straight 1A softball title
Union Area has gone back-to-back and won its second straight PIAA 1A softball championship.
With a 7-3 win against Holy Cross, Union (22-2) are now repeat champions.
The Scotties, who were playing in the 1A title game for a third straight season, scored early and often, jumping out to a 4-0 lead that they never gave back.
Korynne Shannon had eight strikeouts on the mound for Union, allowing 7 hits in the complete game win.
Laurel beats Chartiers-Houston 7-1 to win all-WPIAL 2A state title game
It was an all-WPIAL state championship game in Class 2A and Laurel came out on top, beating Chartiers-Houston 7-1 to claim the school’s first softball championship.
Laurel (20-6) gave up a run in the opening inning but rallied from there and never looked back, scoring all 7 of their runs between the third and sixth innings.
“When we lost [in the WPIAL semifinals], we could either feel sorry for ourselves or we could go battle,” Laurel coach Bill Garroway said. “This team, the seniors especially, are very resilient. We still had life. Whoever was in front of us, we were going to battle.”
Riley Balcom got the win on the mound for Laurel, striking out five batters and allowing just four hits.
Hempfield wins 5th PIAA softball championship with 5-4 win over Owen J. Roberts
Hempfield has now won the most PIAA softball championships among all teams in the WPIAL.
With a 5-4 win vs. Owen J. Roberts, Hempfield (25-1) are in a class of their own when it comes to state championships among Pittsburgh-area softball teams.
Hempfield rallied from a 3-0 deficit, scoring five runs between the 4th and 5th innings, hanging on for victory after allowing Owen J. Roberts to draw back within one run in the top of the 7th.
“It’s super exciting to bring another PIAA title back to Hempfield,” head coach Tina Skelly-Madison said to the Post-Gazette. “It’s an awesome accomplishment.
Julia Carhola struck out seven batters in the win for Hempfield.
WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Hundreds of athletes are competing in the 12th annual Gauntlet 5K on Wednesday morning.
The race features adaptive obstacle courses on the campus of Gaylord Hospital. Many of the athletes participating received treatment or went through rehab at Gaylord Hospital.
Much of the proceeds raised goes back to the hospital’s adaptive sports program and sports association. The program offers 18 adaptive sports at little to no cost to participants. It is the state’s largest adaptive sports program dedicated to improving the lives of anyone with physical disabilities.
Jess Youngblood, a Gauntlet adaptive athlete, said she is committed to giving it her all on the course.
“I was very active before all of this,” Youngblood said. “So being in the wheelchair is definitely a different experience. But I don’t let it slow me down.”
The first race kicks off at 8 a.m. and races will continue through 2 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Summertime means packed touring schedules for bands of many musical genres, and plenty of them are making stops in Maine. From ’90s alternative darlings The Breeders to legends like Joe Jackson and Barry Manilow, along with Maine acts 12/OC and The Ghost of Paul Revere, there are many ways to make this a live music summer to remember.
Here are 19 shows to consider between now and early September at some of Maine’s biggest indoor and outdoor venues.
Mumford & Sons
6 p.m. June 16. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $63.75-$159.75. waterfrontconcerts.com.
One of the biggest events of the summer of 2013 was Mumford & Sons bringing their “Gentlemen of the Road Stopover” festival to Portland’s Eastern Prom. This summer, the band will be performing in Bangor, in support of its sixth album “Prizefighter.” Dylan Gossett opens.
The Breeders
8 p.m. June 18. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $49.50 in advance, $55 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Alternative rock darlings The Breeders is sisters Kim and Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim MacPherson. Since 1990, the band has released five albums and gone through several hiatuses while members were involved with other projects. Most notable is their 1993 release “Last Splash,” home to quintessential ’90s tune “Cannonball.”
Jelly Roll
7:30 p.m. June 20. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $85.25-$223.95. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Jelly Roll is the professional name of Jason Bradley DeFord. Popular songs by the country, rock and hip-hop singer-songwriter include “Need a Favor” and “Son of a Sinner.” Jelly Roll won a 2024 Best Contemporary County Album Grammy for “Beautifully Broken.” His Little Ass Shed Tour pulls into Bangor with blues, country, rock and folk artist Kashus Culpepper opening the show.
Wilco
7 p.m. June 21. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $62 in advance, $70 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Chicago-based rock band Wilco has played in Maine many times through the decades, and the next show is an outdoor one. Fronted by Jeff Tweedy, Wilco also features bassist John Stirratt, who owns a home in the Midcoast. With 13 albums of material to choose from, the show should satisfy new fans and longtime ones.
Barry Manilow
7 p.m. July 3. Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, $77-$385. crossarenaportland.com.
Pop singer Barry Manilow’s final concert in Portland is one of the crown jewels of the summer, after being rescheduled from April 19 because Manilow was ill. With classic songs like “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs,” “Can’t Smile Without You” and “Copacabana (At the Copa),” the legacy artist will likely draw a huge crowd as he takes his final bow in Maine.
Joe Jackson
8 p.m. July 11. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $55.50-$99.50. statetheatreportland.com.
British singer, songwriter and pianist Joe Jackson released the album “Hope and Fury,” his 20th, in April. The Grammy winner’s discography dates back to the 1979 debut album “Look Sharp!,” home to Jackson staples “Sunday Papers,” “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” and “Fools in Love.” His piano chops are as impressive as his vocals, so you expect a first-rate show from Jackson and his band.
Alison Krauss & Union Station
6 p.m. July 11. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 1 Geranium Lane, Sidney, $70-$153. snowpond.org.
Alison Krauss & Union Station have been in the forefront of bluegrass and roots music for more than 40 years. With a show that will include songs from their latest album, “Arcadia,” you can look forward to a fantastic performance from the multiple Grammy winners. The band includes Krauss (fiddle, vocals), Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), Barry Bales (bass, vocals) and Russell Moore (guitar, mandolin, vocals). Theo Lawrence opens the show.
12/OC
6:30 p.m. July 18. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 1 Geranium Lane, Sidney, $27.76. snowpond.org.
This on-the-rise Maine country band was founded by Portland brothers Will and Reid Nichols, who started playing gigs when they were 10 and 13. 12 O/C has been building a loyal following in Maine for several years and moved to Nashville about two years ago. The show is a benefit for the Travis Mills Foundation, with Kelsey Hart opening.
Weird Al Yankovic
7:30 p.m. July 19. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $56.75-$213.45. waterfrontconcerts.com.
No one writes and sings pop parodies quite like Weird Al Yankovic. The Grammy winner has been at it for more than 45 years, and has sold more than 12 million albums. Hits include parodies of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” (“Eat It”) in 1984, Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” (“Like a Surgeon”) in 1985 and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (“Smells Like Nirvana”) in 1992. Yankovic’s “Bigger & Weirder” show will kick off with Puddles Pity Party, a sad clown character who sings covers.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
6:30 p.m. July 21. The Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Sidney, $63.43-$120.06. snowpond.org.
For a summer night full of rock, funk, soul, jazz, blues, hip-hop and Caribbean-influenced music, head to Sidney for Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Shorty is the pride of New Orleans and his shows are both celebratory and musically tremendous. JJ Grey & Mofro will open the show.
Toto, Christopher Cross and the Romantics
6:45 p.m. July 23. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $35-$233.50. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Relive the heyday of ’80s pop music with a trio of acts who know how to pack a Top 40 punch. Toto will have you scream-singing along to “Africa,” Christopher Cross will remind you that the canvas can do miracles with “Sailing,” and the Romantics will have you jumping up and down with “What I Like About You.” All three have multiple hits, so plan on a highly entertaining and nostalgic night of music.
Herbie Hancock
7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, $75-$110. porttix.com.
Herbie Hancock, 86, has been a huge presence in modern jazz, funk, electronic music, rock and other genres for his entire career. It’s no wonder he’s won 14 Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. You may recall Hancock’s 1983 instrumental hit “Rockit,” and his 2007 release “River: The Joni Letters” with its lush piano interpretations of Joni Mitchell’s songs like “Both Sides Now” and “Sweet Bird.”
Guster on the Ocean
4 p.m. Aug. 8 & 9. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $70, $40 kids, $130 adult two-day pass, $30 kids two-day pass. statetheatreportland.com.
This will be the eighth year that the rock band Guster, featuring Cape Elizabeth singer and guitarist Adam Gardner, has made Portland the home of its summer festival. The Merrill Auditorium show on Aug. 7 with the Portland Symphony Orchestra is long sold out, but there are still tickets to two big outdoor shows at Thompson’s Point. The lineup features Iron & Wine, Watchhouse, The Barr Brothers, Neal Francis, Eggy, Dave Butler & Friends, Bebe Stockwell, Khatumu and Cilla Bonnie.
Billy Idol
7:30 p.m. Aug. 11. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $44.50-$181.50. waterfrontconcerts.com.
British rocker Billy Idol will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place in Los Angeles in November. Before that happens, he’ll be on a huge tour that includes a show in Bangor. Sing along with hits like “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face,” “Dancing With Myself” and “Rebel Yell,” among others.
Brandi Carlile
7 p.m. Aug. 13. Cross Insurance Arena, Portland, $85-$497. crossarenaportland.com.
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile’s latest record is “Returning To Myself.” The Human Tour, named for its second track, swings through Portland in August. Since 2005, Carlile has released nine studio albums, including a collaboration with Elton John, and has won 11 Grammy Awards. Some of Carlile’s best known songs include “The Story,” “Hold Out Your Hand” and “The Joke.”
Indigo Girls
7 p.m. Aug. 25. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $53 in advance, $61 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
Indigo Girls is the folk duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, known for their vocal harmonies, songwriting and musicianship. The show will feature sing-alongs of Indigo Girls’ signature songs like “Closer to Fine,” “Galileo” and if we’re lucky, “Kid Fears.”
ZZ Top
7 p.m. Sept. 6. Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor, $65.20-$304.70. waterfrontconcerts.com.
Texas rock band ZZ Top’s hits include “Legs,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” The band continues to play righteous shows after losing original Dusty Hill, bassist, in 2021. “The Big One!” tour features opening act George Thorogood & The Destroyers. Be ready to belt out “Bad to the Bone.” B-b-b-bad!
Ghostland
5 p.m. Sept. 6. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $55 in advance, $65 day of show, free for kids 3 and under. statetheatreportland.com.
Take part in a festival that’s a reunion for one of Maine’s best-loved bands. The Ghost of Paul Revere, started by childhood friends Griffin William Sherry, Sean McCarthy and Max Davis from Buxton and Hollis, were together for more than a decade and toured nationally before breaking up in 2022. The band hosted its own annual festival, Ghostland, usually at Thompson’s Point. They’ll play this year’s Thompson’s Point show with Futurebirds, Weakened Friends and Mikaela Davis.
LCD Soundsystem
7 p.m. Sept. 9. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $75 in advance, $85 day of show. statetheatreportland.com.
With a devoted following, dance-punk act LCD Soundsystem is led by James Murphy. Popular tracks include “Dance Yrself Clean” and “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House.” They called it quits in 2011, then rebooted in 2016. They’ve released five albums, starting with their breakthrough self-titled 2005 release.
This story was originally published by the Maine Trust for Local News. Aimsel Ponti can be reached at aponti@pressherald.com.
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