The Dictatorship
Mangione waives extradition, will return to N.Y. to face charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting
Luigi Mangionethe suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, waived extradition on Thursday, paving the way for him to be transported to New York to face the criminal charges against him.
Mangione, 26, appeared at a Blair County, Pennsylvania, court Thursday morning for a preliminary hearing on his state charges, and at a second hearing immediately afterwards on his extradition to New York. A small group of people gathered outside the courthouse, some holding signs expressing support for him.
Mangione is now likely to be moved to a New York City jail to await arraignment.
Mangione was indicted Tuesday by a New York City grand jury on 11 counts: one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism; two counts of second-degree murder, one of which is charged as “killing as an act of terrorism”; seven counts of criminal possession of a weapon; and one count of possession of a forged instrument.
He also faces two felonies and three misdemeanor charges in Pennsylvania, where he has been held since his arrest on Dec. 9.
Mangione’s Pennsylvania attorney, Thomas Dickey, has said that Mangione will plead not guilty to all the charges. Dickey initially said that Mangione would fight extradition to New York, which could have potentially delayed his transfer by several weeks. However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said last week that there were “indications” that Mangione would not oppose extradition.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking/trending news blogger for BLN Digital. She was previously a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed News.