Featured Image Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/CNN
Topics: Crime, US News, Luigi Mangione
Anish Vij
Luigi Mangione’s lawyer says his legal team have received emails that don't 'sit right with him' after his client was denied bail for the suspected killing of Brian Thompson.
The UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot dead last week and Mangione, 26, was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania and charged with murder on Monday (9 December).
Originally from Maryland, the Ivy League graduate made an appearance in court on Tuesday (10 December) to contest his extradition back to New York, after yelling at the media.
He now has 14 days to challenge the bail decision and will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon.
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Mangione is being held in Pennsylvania on additional charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.
The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot and killed by a masked gunman outside the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan last Wednesday (4 December), at around 6:46 am local time.
Thompson, 50, was shot at least once in the back and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
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The suspected shooter fled the scene with the help of an e-bike in Central Park, ditching it around 7.00am near 85th Street.
After days of looking, police responded to a sighting of the suspect at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania on Monday.
Defence attorney Tom Dickey says his staff have received emails from people offering to help pay for Mangione’s legal bills.
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“I have received some emails. I have not seen them personally, but my understanding from my staff is people are doing that,” Dickey told CNN.
“Obviously my client appreciates the support that he has, but I don’t know, … it just doesn’t sit right with me.”
The lawyer said his client will be pleading not guilty to the charges in relation to possession of a fake ID and a gun which were found when Mangione was searched.
He also expects Mangione to plead not guilty to the murder charge in New York and that it’s 'a possibility' he could represent him there.
“I haven’t seen any evidence that they have the right guy,” Dickey added, saying that New York officials 'need to convince me'.
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When the suspect was found, UnitedHealth Group thanked law enforcement in a statement as a company spokesperson said: "Our hope is that today’s apprehension brings some relief to Brian’s family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy."