Luigi Mangione’s Lawyer Claims No Evidence Proves Client’s Guilt
Attorney Thomas Dickey reports that Luigi Mangione is asserting his not guilty plea and contesting the efforts to extradite him.
The lawyer engaged to defend the individual accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare’s CEO stated that he has not encountered any evidence indicating his client’s guilt.
According to law enforcement authorities, Mangione was the person who approached UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a sidewalk in New York City earlier this month and shot him fatally in the back.
Dickey mentioned that Mangione plans to plead not guilty and reminded everyone that, in the American legal system, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“The burden is always on the government, thank goodness, and it is their responsibility to present evidence, and we’re eager to see it,” stated the lawyer, who revealed during the hearing that he was contesting the government’s extradition efforts against Mangione.
This legal contest typically extends what could otherwise be a quick process if the defendant opted not to challenge extradition. The U.S. Constitution’s Extradition Clause mandates that upon the governor’s demand of the state from which a fugitive has fled, that fugitive must be returned to that state.
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The judge presiding over the hearing allowed Mangione 14 days to submit a formal petition contesting the extradition while granting prosecutors 30 days to acquire the New York governor’s warrant.
“We are going to take necessary steps to secure the governor’s warrant, collaborating with the New York City Police Department and the Manhattan DA’s office to bring the defendant to New York for prosecution on their charges,” Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks told journalists after the hearing. “Waiving would speed up that process. Contesting it just creates additional challenges for law enforcement and prosecutors, but we are prepared for that.”
Mangione was taken into custody at a McDonald’s in Altoona after a customer notified the police. Authorities reported that he was found possessing several fake identification documents, a firearm, and a silencer.
Dickey, who represents Mangione, declined to discuss his client’s injury.
As Mangione entered the hearing, he exclaimed, “This is completely out of touch and an insult to the American people and their lived experiences.”
“He appears to be quite expressive,” Dickey remarked. The lawyer noted that it’s normal for a defendant to experience a variety of emotions. Dickey expressed his intent to manage future communications, saying, “I hope there won’t be any more outbursts.”
Dickey has had discussions with his client about their case. When asked for his initial impressions, he replied, “I wasn’t focused on forming impressions. What I aimed for was to establish a connection with my client; I want him to feel he can trust me and to have confidence in my support. I am satisfied with how that interaction went.”
Luigi Mangione departs from the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa., on December 10, 2024. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
The lawyer confirmed that he was retained for this case but did not disclose who engaged his services.
“Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports concerning Luigi Mangione. We are only aware of what we have read in the media,” the family stated previously. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We extend our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and ask for prayers for everyone involved. We are heartbroken by this news.”
Janice Hisle and Nathan Worcester contributed to this report.
