Search warrant doubts surface in Thompson murder

Pre-trial hearings in the case of Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, are ongoing. Mangione's legal team is actively seeking to exclude critical evidence, asserting it was obtained illegally. Their argument centers on the police's alleged failure to secure a search warrant before examining Mangione's backpack upon his apprehension.

Prosecutors stated a concern for a potential bomb inside the backpack as justification for the warrantless search. However, legal commentators, including former federal prosecutor Sunny Hostin on "The View," have questioned this rationale. Hostin noted the lack of evacuation at the McDonald's where Mangione was apprehended as inconsistent with a genuine bomb threat.

The defense contends that the evidence derived from the backpack search should be inadmissible. Hostin also highlighted that initiating a search based on a deception, such as a fabricated bomb threat, is not permissible in the United States legal system. This challenge could potentially impact the admissibility of crucial evidence in the upcoming proceedings.