Story perspectives

Defense Withdraws Psychiatric Claim After Judge Demands Evidence

6/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Luigi Mangione’s lawyers withdrew the psychiatric defense a day after announcing it in the murder trial of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Judge Gregory Carro ordered the defense to submit psychiatric evidence by Thursday, prompting withdrawal.
The extreme emotional disturbance defense could have reduced the charge to first-degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors presented a notebook and a 3D-printed pistol linking Mangione to the killing, which the judge admitted.

History

Historical Context

After John Hinckley Jr.’s June 1982 not-guilty verdict, Congress passed the Insanity Defense Reform Act, signed on October 12 1984, which moved the burden of proof to defendants and required clear-and-convincing evidence, eliminating the volitional element. The 2024 withdrawal of Luigi Mangione before Judge Gregory Carro, tied to UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, illustrates how the reform now limits psychiatric pleas in federal murder cases.

1 of 2

Story summary

Luigi Mangione’s lawyers withdrew the psychiatric defense a day after announcing it in the murder trial of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Judge Gregory Carro ordered the defense to submit psychiatric evidence by Thursday, prompting withdrawal.
The extreme emotional disturbance defense could have reduced the charge to first-degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors presented a notebook and a 3D-printed pistol linking Mangione to the killing, which the judge admitted.

1 / 2