Cops Allegedly Tricked Luigi Mangione Into Giving DNA — With Snacks

Luigi Mangione's legal team just dropped a bombshell: They claim police tricked him into giving up his DNA — by handing him a snack. Mangione, 26, stands accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare^® CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024 and now faces a slew of serious charges in both New York and Pennsylvania. If this DNA evidence gets thrown out, it could flip the case on its head.

The McDonald's^® Bust

Mangione's arrest reads like a crime novel. On Dec. 9, 2024, Altoona police tracked him down at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania after a 911 caller reported seeing a suspicious man who resembled the New York shooter. Mangione had been wanted in connection with the Dec. 4, 2024, murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in New York City.

When officers confronted Mangione, he reportedly "became quiet and started to shake" when asked if he'd recently been in New York, as reported by PEOPLE. That reaction, prosecutors say, gave them enough cause to bring him in.

Mangione's lawyer, Thomas Dickey, argues the whole thing was unconstitutional. Dickey claims police had no independent proof Mangione was the New York suspect. They detained him based on a hunch, not actual evidence, Dickey says. Dickey also claims Mangione was never properly read his rights during the arrest, further undermining its legality.

The Snack Trap

Here's where it gets weird. After the arrest, police allegedly gave Mangione a snack at the Altoona, Pennsylvania, police station — not out of kindness, but to collect his DNA. In a court filing, Dickey argued that this sneaky tactic violated Mangione's Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable search and seizure. He called the DNA sample "poisonous fruits" — legal slang for evidence gathered through illegal means, according to PEOPLE.

"All DNA samples, profiles, etc, were poisonous fruits obtained in violation of the protections afforded the Defendant by the constitutions of both the United States and this commonwealth," Dickey wrote, according to Newsweek. Mangione's team wants the DNA evidence thrown out, claiming it never should have been collected in the first place.

Is This True?

That's the million-dollar question. Right now, Mangione's lawyers are making this claim in court, but the police haven't publicly confirmed or denied it. The Altoona Police Department declined to comment, according to Newsweek. Until the court rules on the DNA issue, it's unclear whether this snack-based DNA collection actually happened — and whether it violated Mangione's rights.

Could This Impact the Case?

If the DNA evidence gets tossed, it could seriously weaken the prosecution's case in both Pennsylvania and New York. Mangione faces the death penalty in New York if convicted of Thompson's murder. The prosecution alleges Mangione fired three shots at Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, then fled the scene on a bike. Investigators later recovered shell casings at the scene marked with the words "delay," "deny," and "depose" — a possible jab at how insurance companies handle claims, according to PEOPLE.

Mangione's legal trouble doesn't end there. When police arrested him at the McDonald's, they reportedly found a "ghost gun" (an untraceable firearm), fake IDs, and a letter addressed to "the feds" complaining about "parasites" in the health insurance industry, according to PEOPLE. Mangione now faces multiple charges in Pennsylvania, including forgery, illegal firearm possession, and providing false identification.

If the DNA evidence is excluded, prosecutors might struggle to directly link Mangione to the New York shooting. Mangione's defense has also asked that prosecutors be barred from referring to his alleged writings as a "manifesto," arguing that it would unfairly bias the jury, according to 6ABC. If the judge sides with the defense, it could weaken the prosecution's narrative.

The Bigger Picture

The case has drawn widespread attention, not only because of Thompson's high-profile status in the healthcare industry but also because of the mysterious details surrounding the crime. Mangione allegedly carried a letter blaming the healthcare industry for Thompson's death, and the shell casings at the scene seemed to reference common insurance practices.

The outcome of the DNA battle could change the entire trajectory of the case. If the DNA evidence holds up, it would give prosecutors a strong link between Mangione and the New York shooting. But if the judge rules that the DNA was collected illegally, it could cripple the state's case — and potentially lead to some of the Pennsylvania charges getting dropped.

What Happens Next?

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense team has filed a motion to dismiss the Pennsylvania charges and exclude the DNA evidence from both cases. A ruling on the DNA issue could significantly weaken the prosecution's case — or strengthen it, depending on which way the court leans.

The Altoona Police Department has declined to comment, according to Newsweek. Meanwhile, Mangione remains in custody in New York, waiting for his next day in court.

References: Luigi Mangione's Lawyer Claims Cops Illegally Collected DNA by Giving Him Snack After McDonald's Arrest | Luigi Mangione's Lawyers Say Police Used Snacks to Obtain DNA | Attorney for accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione seeks to dismiss Pennsylvania charges