Manhattan state court Judge Gregory Carro ruled on May 18 that evidence seized from Luigi Mangione's backpack during a warrantless search at an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonald's must be suppressed at his state murder trial. The judge admitted other evidence recovered later at the police station, including a firearm that authorities allege is the murder weapon.

"The evidence found during the search of the backpack at the McDonald's must be suppressed, including the magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet and computer chip," Carro wrote in the ruling. He also wrote that "The search of the backpack at the misconduct at the McDonald's was an improper warrantless search."

Prosecutors had argued that officers acted under exigent circumstances when they opened the bag without a warrant. Carro rejected that justification, writing that "Even if the backpack could be seen as within the defendant's control or grabbable area, the People did not meet their burden of demonstrating exigency." The judge also wrote that "The People assert that the police were merely searching for explosives in an effort to protect themselves and the public, before removing the backpack to the station," adding that "However, this justification for searching the backpack does not hold up to scrutiny."

Carro will allow prosecutors to introduce Mangione's alleged notebook because officers did not open or search it at the McDonald's. The defense had sought to bar all materials taken from the bag on the grounds that the search was conducted without a warrant, while authorities maintained the search was justified by exigent circumstances.

Mangione is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024. The killing prompted a manhunt that ended after an anonymous tipster reported spotting Mangione at the Altoona McDonald's.

On September 16, 2025, Carro dismissed first-degree murder and second-degree murder as terrorism charges against Mangione. He still faces nine counts in the state case, including second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.