
Court update: The battle over evidence
19/12/2025 | 20 mins.
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 his backpack.Judge Carro will decide what will be shown to the jury when the trial is eventually scheduled which could have big implications for the case.Jordan Dunbar is joined from New York by Terri Austin former trial attorney and Matthew Lee Senior Reporter at Inner City Press to discuss the key moments in the case and what new information has come to light.In addition to the New York state criminal proceedings, Mangione also faces federal murder charges, which could lead to the death penalty.Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.This podcast takes a step back to unpick the facts and conspiracies, and we'll explain what happens in court. If you have heard of a claim you want us to fact check, or a question for us to tackle, email us at [email protected] or WhatsApp: 0330 678 33 63

Court update: Mangione terror charges dropped
16/09/2025 | 11 mins.
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 the defence team's request to delay the state trial until the conclusion of Mangione's federal trial.During the hearing on Tuesday the judge ruled that trial hearings would begin on 1 December. In addition to the New York state criminal proceedings, Mangione also faces federal murder charges, which could lead to the death penalty. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Jordan Dunbar provides a full update on today’s hearing, and other developments in the case.Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63You can watch this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4dqQA7wr_EnhoqLNVKsFBtE

Politics and appearance: Mangione's supporters explained
14/05/2025 | 27 mins.
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 Research Institute (NCRI) and Ioana Literat, a communications specialist from Columbia University Teacher’s College. While the murder may have taken place in the US, the reaction was truly global. Some of the posts and opinions normally associated with the extremes of the internet moved into the mainstream with some people on TikTok, Instagram and X getting involved. From healthcare reform to anti-capitalist sentiment, the reasons behind the online support toward murder suspect Luigi Mangione are incredibly varied. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of murder, firearms offences and stalking. The 27-year-old may face two trials, as he has also pleaded not guilty to state charges for murder. The Mangione Trial podcast takes a step back to unpick and understand the facts and conspiracies surrounding this case. We explore why this story has engrossed so many different people around the world and bring you major news updates as they happen. Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63 If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4dqQA7wr_EnhoqLNVKsFBtE

Behind the memes: Luigi Mangione and Brian Thompson
07/05/2025 | 25 mins.
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 friend and colleague of Brian Thompson shares recollections of the health insurance executive. From Luigi Mangione’s hometown, journalist Julie Scharper, from the online newspaper The Baltimore Banner, discusses the background of the Mangione family and sheds light on Luigi Mangione’s movements in 2024. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of murder, firearms offences and stalking. The 27-year-old will now face two trials, as he has also pleaded not guilty to state charges for murder. The Mangione Trial podcast takes a step back to unpick and understand the facts and conspiracies surrounding this case. We explore why this story has engrossed so many different people around the world and bring you major news updates as they happen. Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63 If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4dqQA7wr_EnhoqLNVKsFBtE

The Mangione conspiracy theories
30/04/2025 | 33 mins.
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 many posts expressed horror at a cold blooded murder, some shared theories about the case. Luigi Mangione denies the charges against him. This episode will explore why this case has engrossed so many different people around the world and ask why conspiracies have become so popular in online culture. Jordan Dunbar speaks to disinformation journalist David Gilbert of Wired magazine and clinical psychologist Dr Shauna Bowes. They examine why this case garnered such attention online. The Mangione Trial podcast takes a step back to unpick and understand the facts and conspiracies surrounding this case. We explore why this story has engrossed so many different people around the world and bring you news updates as they happen. Got a claim you want us to fact check? Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +44 330 678 33 63 If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY



The Mangione Trial