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Topics: Crime, News, US News, Luigi Mangione
Olivia Burke
Topics: Crime, News, US News, Luigi Mangione
The man who has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had something to say to reporters as he was escorted into court.
Luigi Mangione was seen in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit as he was led into Blair County Courthouse in Pennsylvania today (10 December).
A flock of reporters were crowded around as the 26-year-old was ushered into the court for an extradition hearing regarding his return to New York.
The suspect in the alleged killing of the US health insurance boss has been charged with one count of murder, along with charges for possessing an unlicensed firearm, forgery and giving the police false identification.
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He was arrested on gun charges when police in Pennsylvania apprehended him yesterday (9 December) at a McDonald's branch after receiving a tip off from an employee.
Mangione was taken into custody at around 9.15am on Monday (9 December) and was taken to court today for a preliminary arraignment on gun charges, as well as to discuss his extradition.
He has contested the plans to get him back to New York and has been given 14 days to file for writ of habeas corpus, according to CNN.
Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks told the outlet: "They have 14 days to file a petition for habeas corpus, and that would simply be a document challenging the commonwealth’s ability to prove that the defendant is the person that the state of New York has issued the arrest warrant for."
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The judge denied the Ivy League graduate's request for bail, meaning Mangione will reside at the Huntingdon State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania for the foreseeable.
But before these developments unfolded inside the courtroom, the suspected shooter attempted to address reporters as police officers herded him into the building.
Although it was difficult to decipher Mangione's message amid the noise, the waiting press managed to get footage of what he yelled.
According to Sky News, the alleged gunman shouted: "It's completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and their lived experience."
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Mangione was forced inside by the numerous officers surrounding him before he could finish speaking.
Thompson was fatally shot from behind by a masked gunman outside the Hilton Hotel on Sixth Avenue last Wednesday (4 December), at around 6:46 am local time.
The bullets used in the murder had the words words 'deny, defend, depose' etched on the casings.
Police said the killer then fled the scene on an e-bike and rode into Central Park, where a backpack believed to belong to the shooter which was stuffed with Monopoly money was discovered.
A nationwide manhunt ensued, while authorities began circulating images of the suspect from inside a taxi and a Starbucks to aid the search.
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Following his detainment on Monday, cops say that Mangione was found in possession of some written documents when he was arrested, including a supposed 'manifesto'.
It is reported to have outlined some grievances against the American health insurance system.