Luigi Mangione asks court for a laptop while he awaits trial in CEO's slaying

Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December, has asked a New York Superior Court for access to a laptop computer while he's in federal custody.

According to the March 21 motion filed by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, the 26-year-old requested access to a laptop "to facilitate his review of discovery once it is provided."

The motion, which also seeks the release by prosecutors of discovery documents in the case, also alleges that prosecutors' and public officials' leaks of information in the case are "prejudicing" Mangione's right to a fair trial.

"While the prosecution is deliberately withholding discovery from the defense, law enforcement is routinely providing information to the public, including confidential grand jury information, in clear violation of Mr. Mangione's constitutional rights," the motion claims.

What is the latest in Luigi Mangione's case?

Prosecutors say Mangione shot Thompson outside a New York City hotel, a slaying that spurred a days-long manhunt. Since then Mangione has garnered an outpouring of support, from social media posts excoriating the health insurance industry for fueling the kind of rage that might drive someone to homicide to more than $750,000 raised in an online legal defense fund for the suspect, a University of Pennsylvania graduate who comes from a wealthy and prominent Maryland family.

Defense attorneys are learning about prosecutors' evidence "from leaks and interviews given by law enforcement," including in a March 8 New York Magazine profile of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and New York City Mayor Eric Adams and others, whom the complaint says "have been leaking sensitive information and appearing in interviews on television, newspapers and magazines."

In February, Mangione's lawyers argued that his arrest in an Altoona, Pennsylvania, McDonald's was mishandled by local police. They said officers questioned and searched Mangione without reading him Miranda rights afforded by the Constitution, making any statements or evidence they uncovered then inadmissible in court.

What charges is Luigi Mangione facing?

Luigi Mangione is facing federal and state charges including:

Federal charges of stalking and murder through use of a firearm;

state charges in New York including weapons and murder offenses; and

state charges in Pennsylvania including forgery and weapons offenses.

Why does the defense say Mangione needs a laptop?

Mangione is currently in federal custody, and his lawyers say in their motion that federal prosecutors have not objected to him having access to a laptop.

"Without the laptop, which allows Mr. Mangione to review discovery outside the presence of counsel, there are not enough visiting hours that would allow the defense to view all discovery with the defendant (including thousands of hours of video) and also meet the court's current motion schedule," the motion says, adding that Mangione's lawyers would otherwise have to print out more than 15,000 pages of discovery documents, which Mangione would have to keep in his cell.

Prosecutors in New York oppose Mangione's having access to a laptop because of "the sensitive nature" of documents and "threats that several witnesses have already received." Magione's lawyers say he has no connection to any threats to witnesses.

What's next for Luigi Mangione?

Mangione's next federal court hearing is scheduled for April 18. On June 26, he will appear in New York Superior Court. His next appearance for charges against him in Pennsyvania is still to be determined.