Overview
- Altoona Officer Christy Wasser testified that her initial backpack search at a McDonald's uncovered a loaded magazine wrapped in wet underwear, captured on bodycam as another officer said, "It's him, 100%."
- Wasser said she searched to rule out a bomb and later found a 9mm handgun, a suppressor and a red notebook at the station, while Blair County prosecutor Nichole Smith described obtaining warrants and transferring evidence to NYPD.
- Defense lawyers argued the backpack search violated Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections, pressed her on an 11‑minute bodycam gap during transport and questioned the bomb rationale and chain of custody.
- Prosecutors recently released evidence photos showing a handwritten to‑do list, a USB necklace, a pocketknife with zip ties, thousands in cash and a bus ticket bought under the name "Sam Dawson."
- Judge Gregory Carro cautioned prosecutors about using terms like "execution" and "manifesto" at trial; no ruling on suppression has been issued, and Mangione has pleaded not guilty as a separate federal case pursues the death penalty.