The Mangione Trial
This podcast from the BBC World Service investigates the case of Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York. It explores why Mangione went viral on social media, the conspiracy theories that emerged, and the public's fascination with the accused. BBC reporters provide updates and analysis on major developments in the case, while also examining broader issues such as the US health industry and attitudes toward capitalism.
Episodes
How the Mangione case changed corporate security
The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shocked corporate America and triggered a major rethink of how business leaders are protected. But has the shooting fundamentally changed the corporate security industry?In this episode, host Jordan Dunbar explores the growing demand for executive protection in the wake of one of the most closely watched criminal cases in the United States.
Speak
Double jeopardy: Will Mangione avoid a New York trial?
Luigi Mangione's federal guilty plea has triggered a new legal battle: can New York state still put him on trial?In this episode, Jordan Dunbar speaks to former assistant district attorney Gary Galperin and defence attorney Todd Spodek about the defence's attempt to dismiss the state case using New York's double jeopardy laws.They explain what Mangione admitted to in federal court, why his lawyers
'Pretty privilege': Is it real?
Along with an update on the latest developments in the Mangione case, in this episode Jordan Dunbar explores the idea of "pretty privilege" and the role appearance may play in shaping public perception, media attention and even courtroom outcomes.Through interviews with a criminal defence attorney and BBC journalists, the episode examines whether attractiveness can influence how defendants are vie
Luigi Mangione admits killing healthcare boss
Luigi Mangione appears in federal court to plead guilty to killing health insurance CEO Brian Thompson. Jordan Dunbar has the latest developments after a last minute hearing was called in New York. We find out more about at what happened in court, what the reaction has been and discuss what happens next.Mangione still faces charges at state level, so what impact does Mangione's change in plea mea
How a murder case fuelled a culture war
Since the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the case against Luigi Mangione has become about more than just the evidence that will be tested in court. Across politics, social media and the news media, competing groups have sought to frame the story through their own lens, linking it to debates about left-wing violence, Antifa, healthcare, political extremism and public anger at powe
Brand new episodes launch ahead of trial
Jordan Dunbar will be back with new episodes dropping from tomorrow leading up to trial, looking at issues surrounding the Luigi Mangione case.
Mangione won’t face death penalty
Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty if convicted of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a federal judge has ruled.
US District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the federal firearms charges against Mangione. These had carried the possibility of the death penalty.
Judge Garnett left in place charges against Mangione that can still bring a maximum punishment of life in prison.
Court update: The battle over evidence
A marathon three weeks of pre-trial hearing has just ended in Luigi Mangione’s New York state trial - what have we learnt?The defence have been arguing over what evidence should be kept out of the upcoming state trial for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024.This includes statements made to the police during Mangione’s arrest, items found on him and in h
Court update: Mangione terror charges dropped
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.
A judge in New York state has dismissed two terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
However, Judge Gregory Carro ruled a charge of second-degree murder against Mangione could stand.
The judge also rejected th
Politics and appearance: Mangione's supporters explained
A deep dive into the supporters of Luigi Mangione, featuring some exclusive new data, and considering how this case might be influencing US social attitudes to political violence.
BBC World Service Disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield joins us to discuss why some people around the world have taken to this case so passionately.
We’re also joined by Joel Finkelstein, from the Network Contagion
Behind the memes: Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson
A deep dive into the lives of Luigi Mangione and the man he is accused of murdering – healthcare executive Brian Thompson.
Who is the real Luigi Mangione and what do we know about his alleged victim?
BBC reporter Mike Wendling joins us from Chicago to tell us more about the health insurance CEO Brian Thompson, who was gunned down outside a New York hotel.
In his first broadcast interview, a
The Mangione conspiracy theories
Pokemon, number 286, eyebrow length – we explore the popularity of conspiracy theories and where they come from. This episode unpicks some of these theories and why they spread on platforms like TikTok and Reddit.
Over three million posts went up on social media the week after the shooting of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione in December 2024.
While the man
Court update: Mangione’s plea
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.
Luigi Mangione enters his pleas to all federal charges over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mr Thompson, a father of two, was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel late last year. Mangione faces four federal charges - murder, using a weapon with a sile
How US healthcare works
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.The murder of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson shocked America but also led to rallies and protests about the country’s complicated and sometimes controversial healthcare system.
Phrases like “Deny Defend Depose” appeared on social media. The same words were chanted at
What's coming next
We just want to give you a quick update – a heads up that we have some new episodes on the way.
With this podcast, we are bringing you episodes when there are developments in the case but are also bringing you episodes in which we try to unpick and explain the facts and examine and get to the bottom of conspiracy theories.
On 23 April, we’ll be publishing the first of four new episodes – with
News update: US prosecutors seek death penalty
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates. US attorney general Pam Bondi has announced prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo has released a blistering statement attacking t
News update: Mangione appears in court
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.Luigi Mangione appears in court for a brief hearing which draws hundreds of supporters, some chanting his name and wearing shirts adorned with his face.
Jordan Dunbar gets the latest from the courtroom, speaking to BBC correspondent Nada Tawfik and legal analyst Terri Aust
Who is Luigi Mangione and what’s he accused of?
This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione’s case went viral. Jordan Dunbar presents a timeline of events, and with the help of guests Terri Austin and Joel Finkelstein, he examines the response to what happened.
Brian Thompson was a father of two and in December 2024 he was shot d
Introducing The Mangione Trial
Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione’s case went viral. We unpick the facts and conspiracies. Mangione has been charged with killing health insurance chief executive Brian Thompson. He was shot in broad daylight in New York in December 2024, leaving behind a shattered, grieving family. He was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States.We will be trying to understand
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