Luigi Mangione, the suspect indicted in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, waived his right to an extradition hearing and will be flown back to New York on Thursday. He appeared in court in Blair County, Pennsylvania, for a preliminary hearing, and Judge David Consiglio ordered him to be taken into the custody of the New York City Police Department. Mangione, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, was then taken to Altoona-Blair County Airport, where he boarded a plane to New York. Upon landing, he is expected to face federal criminal charges and appear in court in lower Manhattan.
Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was arrested following a five-day manhunt in Pennsylvania after allegedly targeting Thompson due to his grievances with corporate America and the health care system. He faces 11 counts in New York, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and criminal possession of a weapon.
His Pennsylvania attorney stated that Mangione would plead not guilty in both the New York and Pennsylvania cases, and another attorney representing him on the New York charges expressed readiness to fight the charges in court. The decision to add federal charges on top of the existing ones has raised concerns about double jeopardy.
Supporters of Mangione were seen outside the courthouse with signs saying “Free Luigi.” The suspect’s attorney claimed that everything done in court was in Mangione’s best interest and that they are prepared to defend him against the charges in both states.
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