Mangione Seeks to Suppress Backpack Evidence as Judge Orders Altoona Officer to Testify in UnitedHealthcare CEO Killing Case
In the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing case, defense attorneys for Luigi Mangione have moved to suppress evidence seized from his backpack — including the alleged murder weapon and anti‑insurance writings — arguing the search was warrantless and unlawful. Judge Margaret M. Garnett ordered an Altoona police officer to testify about the department’s protocols for handling arrestees’ personal property and demanded the affidavit supporting the federal search warrant, while prosecutors say the backpack’s contents would have been inevitably discovered.
📌 Key Facts
- Judge Margaret M. Garnett has ordered an Altoona, Pennsylvania police officer to appear in court to testify about that department’s protocols for handling arrestees’ personal property in connection with the search of Mangione’s backpack.
- The defense has formally moved to suppress evidence seized from Mangione’s backpack, arguing the search was warrantless and unlawful.
- Items the defense seeks to suppress include the alleged murder weapon and writings described as anti‑insurance materials found in the backpack.
- Judge Garnett ordered prosecutors to provide her with a copy of the affidavit supporting the federal search warrant, indicating she will closely scrutinize how the search was justified.
- Prosecutors argue that even if there were issues with the initial search, the backpack’s contents would have been inevitably discovered because it was in Mangione’s possession at the time of arrest.
- The dispute concerns whether the backpack evidence can be used in the case prosecuting Mangione in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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January 23, 2026
11:00 AM
Judge orders Altoona cop to court as Mangione hopes to have backpack search tossed
New information:
- Judge Margaret M. Garnett has ordered an Altoona, Pennsylvania police officer to appear in court to testify about that department’s protocols for handling arrestees’ personal property, in connection with the search of Mangione’s backpack.
- The defense is now formally seeking suppression of evidence found in Mangione’s backpack, including the alleged murder weapon and anti‑insurance writings, arguing the search was warrantless and unlawful.
- Judge Garnett also ordered prosecutors to provide her with a copy of the affidavit supporting the federal search warrant, indicating she will closely scrutinize how the search was justified.
- Prosecutors argue that even if there were issues with the initial search, the contents of the backpack would have been inevitably discovered because it was in Mangione’s possession at arrest.
January 21, 2026