Executive Summary
- Prosecutors presented notes with instructions like “FBI slower overnight” and “pluck eyebrows.”
- A hand-drawn map outlined escape routes to cities including Detroit and St. Louis.
- Defense attorneys argued the warrantless search of Mangione’s backpack was illegal.
- Evidence includes a 9mm handgun allegedly matching the weapon used in the CEO’s murder.
- Mangione expressed concern for the McDonald’s manager who identified him to police.
Handwritten notes detailing evasion tactics, including a reminder that the “FBI [is] slower overnight,” were presented by prosecutors in a Manhattan court this week during a pretrial hearing for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024. The evidence, revealed on the one-year anniversary of Mangione’s capture, offers a detailed look into his alleged attempts to avoid detection while fleeing New York.
According to court documents and testimony reported by The Associated Press, the materials seized during Mangione’s December 9, 2024, arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, included a to-do list instructing him to “pluck eyebrows,” “change hat, shoes,” and “stay away from surveillance cameras.” One specific note advised checking for “red eyes” on travel routes from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Ohio. A hand-drawn map found in his possession outlined potential escape lines linking cities such as Detroit, Indianapolis, and St. Louis, suggesting a plan to move west.
Prosecutors stated that these documents were discovered in Mangione’s backpack alongside a 9mm handgun, which they allege matches the weapon used to kill Thompson five days earlier. Law enforcement also recovered a silencer, a loaded magazine, and a notebook containing a “wack” list that purportedly described an intent to target a health insurance executive. While the defense has not disputed the authenticity of the notes or the provenance of the items—which also included a fake ID and digital storage devices—they are seeking to suppress this evidence. Defense attorneys argued that the Altoona police lacked a warrant and sufficient grounds for the initial search. Prosecutors maintained that the search was lawful, citing officers’ immediate need to check for explosives.
Testimony provided by Altoona Police Officer Stephen Fox on Tuesday offered insight into Mangione’s interactions with law enforcement immediately following his detention. Fox testified that Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, expressed concern for the McDonald’s manager who reported him to 911. According to Fox, Mangione remarked, “It would be bad for her,” implying concern for her safety given the high-profile nature of the case. Fox also described an instance where Mangione stumbled while shackled, reportedly telling the officer, “It’s OK, I’m going to have to get used to it.”
Judicial Proceedings Analysis
The current evidentiary hearing serves as a critical juncture in the state’s case against Mangione, specifically regarding the admissibility of physical evidence seized without an initial warrant. The defense’s strategy focuses on the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine, attempting to invalidate the backpack search to exclude the murder weapon and incriminating notes from the upcoming trial. However, courts often weigh exigent circumstances and public safety exceptions in cases involving armed fugitives. The outcome of this hearing will likely influence parallel federal proceedings, where prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
