Luigi Mangione's attorney blasts police, mayor for using the accused CEO killer as 'political fodder'

[ad_1] Luigi Mangione on Monday pleaded not responsible to state homicide and terror fees within the deadly taking pictures of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as his legal professional protested his therapy, saying in court docket that her consumer is getting used as "political fodder" by police and the mayor of New York Metropolis.

The 26-year-old Mangione entered the Manhattan courtroom in shackles and below heavy guard. He was wearing civilian garments, sporting a maroon sweater over a light-colored shirt, and a pair of chinos.

Mangione spoke right into a microphone, saying "Not responsible" to the 11 fees within the indictment, together with first-degree homicide in furtherance of terrorism. Decide Gregory Carro presided over the arraignment.

Luigi Mangione seems in Manhattan Supreme Court docket in New York Metropolis, Dec. 23, 2024, to face homicide fees for taking pictures UHC CEO Brian Thompson to demise.

Curtis Means/POOL/AFP through Getty Photos

The high-profile defendant appeared to not have household within the courtroom. However about two dozen ladies, who waited in line within the frigid chilly for public seats within the courtroom gallery, stated they had been there to help Mangione. Many of the ladies wore face masks and some appeared visibly emotional as Mangione entered the courtroom.

"It is a grave injustice, and that is why persons are right here," one of many ladies, who stated she arrived on the courthouse at 5 a.m., advised ABC Information.

In the course of the arraignment, prosecutor Joel Sideman stated the Manhattan district legal professional’s workplace has "main jurisdiction" over the case and can attempt it earlier than the federal prosecution in opposition to Mangione. The accused killer will probably be returned to federal custody, Sideman stated.

In the course of the temporary court docket listening to, Mangione sat stone-faced subsequent to his legal professional Karen Friedman Angifilo, who was sporting a sweater and a white collared shirt that nearly identically matched what her consumer was sporting.

Luigi Mangione seems in Manhattan Supreme Court docket with legal professional Karen Friedman Agnifilo to face homicide fees for taking pictures UHC CEO Brian Thompson to demise, in New York Metropolis, Dec. 23, 2024.

Curtis Means/POOL/AFP through Getty Photos

Agnifilo instantly raised issues in court docket that Mangione's rights had been being violated, alleging the case was being politicized.

"I'm very involved about my consumer's proper to a good trial on this case. He's being prejudiced by some statements made by public officers," Agnifilo stated, calling out New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams particularly.

Placing her proper hand on Mangione's shoulder, Agnifilo prompted a smile from the defendant, saying, "He's a younger man, and he's being handled like a human ping pong ball."

Luigi Mangione, the suspect within the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief government Brian Thompson departs after an arraignment listening to, at New York Supreme Court docket in New York Metropolis, Dec. 23, 2024.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Angifilo additionally slammed final week's extradition of Mangione again to Manhattan to face fees, calling the huge show of pressure used within the switch "the largest staged perp stroll I've seen in my profession."

She accused the police and Adams of utilizing Mangione as "political fodder."

"What was the New York Metropolis mayor doing at this press convention -- that's totally political," she stated, earlier than referencing the mayor's personal prison case. "The New York Metropolis mayor ought to know greater than anybody the presumption of innocence."

Protestors maintain indicators exterior of Manhattan Felony Court docket on December 23, 2024, in New York Metropolis.

Adam Grey/Getty Photos

Following the arraignment, Mangione sat on the protection desk conferring together with his legal professional and a jail guide employed to be a part of his authorized crew. He signed a number of varieties earlier than officers put him again in handcuffs and led him out of the courtroom.

"We're going to combat these fees, whether or not it is state or federal," Agnifilo stated.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect within the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief government Brian Thompson arrives for an arraignment listening to, at New York Supreme Court docket in New York Metropolis, Dec. 23, 2024.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Decide Carro set Mangione's subsequent court docket date for Feb. 21.

Outdoors the decrease Manhattan courthouse, dozens of individuals claiming to be Mangione supporters, chanted, "Free, free Luigi" and "the folks united won't ever go for revenue." Mangione supporters additionally held indicators, studying, "Well being over wealth," "In Luigi we belief." One protester held an indication studying, "United States healthcare stole my livelihood, prosecute malicious profiteers."

Luigi Mangione sits between his protection attorneys Karen Friedman Agnifilo and her husband Marc Agnifilo throughout his federal court docket listening to in New York Metropolis, Dec. 19, 2024, on this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

A Manhattan grand jury upgraded fees in opposition to Mangione final week to incorporate first-degree homicide in furtherance of terrorism.

He's additionally charged in New York with two counts of second-degree homicide, certainly one of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism; two counts of prison possession of a weapon within the second diploma; 4 counts of prison possession of a weapon within the third diploma; one depend of prison possession of a weapon within the fourth diploma; and one depend of prison possession of a solid instrument within the second diploma.

He faces a most sentence of life in jail with out parole if convicted of the state fees.

Folks maintain placards on the day Luigi Mangione, the suspect within the homicide of UnitedHealth Group government Brian Thompson, consented to be extradited from Pennsylvania, exterior a U.S. district court docket in New York, Dec. 19, 2024.

Jeenah Moon/Reuters

There's a federal case in opposition to Mangione as properly. One of many fees, homicide by way of use of a firearm, would make Mangione eligible for the demise penalty if he is convicted.

Each circumstances are along with the fees introduced in opposition to Mangione in Pennsylvania, the place he was arrested and the place he faces fees together with forgery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Mangione was transported to New York on Dec. 19 after waiving his proper to an extradition listening to that morning in court docket in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Luigi Mangione, the suspect within the homicide of UnitedHealth Group government Brian Thompson, arrives at a helicopter pad after being extradited from Pennsylvania, in New York Metropolis, Dec. 19, 2024.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Agnifilo stated the theories of the 2 circumstances seem like in battle, noting the state case accused Mangione of terrorizing a bunch of individuals whereas the federal case accused him of stalking a person.

Danielle Filson, a spokesperson for Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg, stated this week that "the state case will proceed in parallel with any federal case."