Luigi Mangione: UnitedHealthcare CEO’s suspected killer faces federal charges after waiving extradition
Brian Thompson shooting suspect formally waived extradition during a Thursday court hearing in Pennsylvania
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Luigi Mangione faces federal charges over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to newly unsealed court documents.
The charges include murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense, according to multiple outlets. The 26-year-old has also been hit with charges in New York at a state level, which include murder as an act of terrorism.
Mangione was arraigned on Thursday after he formally waived his right to an extradition hearing in Pennsylvania and was immediately returned to the Empire State.
The suspected gunman is accused of fatally shooting the healthcare executive on the streets of Midtown Manhattan on the morning of December 4 and then eluding police for five days before he was arrested at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
High-profile attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo has recently been retained to defend him. Agnifilo previously worked at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, serving as the chief assistant district attorney for seven years, before moving to private practice in 2021.
Mangione’s supporters continue to donate thousands of dollars to his “defense” fund. The anonymous fund, “December 4th Legal Committee”, has amassed more than $140,000 in donations on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo.
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Mangione arrives in New York ahead of arraignment
The plane returning Luigi Mangione to New York has landed on Long Island, according to reports and flight trackers.
Mangione is expected to be transferred to a NYPD helicopter, which will take him to Manhattan, CNN reported.
Mangione lawyer calls federal charges ‘highly unusual'
Luigi Mangione’s attorney, Karen Agnifilo, said that the decision to add federal charges on top of state-level charges was “highly unusual.”
“The federal government’s reported decision to pile on top of an already overcharged first-degree murder and state terror case is highly unusual and raises serious constitutional and statutory double jeopardy concerns,” Agnifilo said in a statement shared with The Independent.
“We are ready to fight these charges in whatever court they are brought.”
Mangione arrives in Manhattan by helicopter
Luigi Mangione has arrived in Manhattan after being flown by helicopter from Long Island.
He was flown from Pennsylvania to New York earlier today, after waiving extradition to the Empire State.
Mangione expected in court at around 2pm ET
Luigi Mangione is expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan around 2 p.m., according to a release from the Southern District of New York.
Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker will oversee the court proceedings at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse.
Mangione arrived by helicopter in Manhattan around 1 p.m. New York mayor Eric Adams was reportedly among those escorting the 26-year-old to the courthouse.
Watch: Luigi Mangione arrives in Manhattan after extradition from Pennsylvania
Full story: Luigi Mangione has received 87 pieces of mail and 163 donations while behind bars
Luigi Mangione, the suspect at the center of the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting, has received over 100 pieces of mail just over a week after he was taken into custody.
A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections confirmed the news to The Independent.
Michelle Del Rey has more:
Luigi Mangione receives 87 pieces of mail and 163 donations while behind bars
Exclusive: The murder suspect has received over 100 pieces of mail since being taken into custody
In pictures: Luigi Mangione touches down in Manhattan
Diddy lawyer Marc Agnifilo spotted at Manhattan court ahead of Mangione arraignment
High profile defense attorney Marc Agnifilo was seen alongside his wife Karen Friedman Agnifilo – who is representing Luigi Mangione – at the Manhattan courthouse where the 26-year-old is soon to be arraigned on federal murder charges.
The two attorneys were seen walking together into the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouse on Thursday afternoon, according to CNN.
The court is also where Sean “Diddy” Combs faces multiple federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Marc Agnifilo is defending the rapper and music mogul.
Mangione’s arraignment is due to take place at around 2.30 p.m.
Eric Adams ‘leading from the front’ by escorting Mangione
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he had intended to demonstrate he was “leading from the front” by being part of the escort of Luigi Mangione to federal court in Manhattan on Thursday.
The mayor, who is himself facing federal criminal charges of corruption, condemned Mangione’s actions as an act of terrorism and the violence” that would “not be tolerated in the city.” “We wanted to personally be here to show the symbolism of leading from the front,” Adams told reporters after the escort.
He also described the support for Mangione and his actions as “vile” and “sends the wrong message.”
“You’re celebrating using violence to solve an issue,” he said. “A person that uses a gun to solve a concern – if it’s on a school campus or on our streets – there are mechanisms in this country for how to organize around those issues of concern... You don’t use a gun.”