Man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO shouts on way into courthouse and fights extradition
ALTOONA, Pa. — The man is charged with murder in the killing of the CEO of United Healthcare made it clear he wasn’t going to make things easy for authorities, screaming unintelligibly and writhing in the grasp of sheriff’s deputies as he was led into court and then objecting to his transfer to New York to face charges.
Tuesday’s expressions of opposition were not expected to significantly delay the legal proceedings Luigi Nicholas Mangionewho was charged in Manhattan’s murder last week Brian Thompsonthe leader of the largest health insurer in the United States. Little new information has emerged about possible motivation, although writings found in Mangione’s possession indicated a vague hatred of corporate greed.
In his first public words since he was arrested at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania after a five-day search, the 26-year-old Ivy League graduate of a prominent Maryland real estate family emerged from a patrol car and shouted about an “insult to the intelligence community.” of the American people,” as deputies pushed him into a courthouse.
A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said Mangione had a handwritten document with him at the time of his arrest expressing anger at what he called “parasitic” health insurers and a disdain for corporate greed and power .
He wrote that the US has the most expensive health care system in the world and that corporate profits continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, the bulletin said.
Mangione remained imprisoned in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of a firearm without a license, forgery and providing false identification to police.
Prosecutors in Manhattan began taking steps to bring Mangione to New York, but during a brief hearing Tuesday, defense attorney Thomas Dickey said his client will not waive extradition and instead wants a hearing on the matter. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released.
He usually stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally looking at papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery.
“You can’t rush to judgment in this case or any other case,” Dickey said afterward. ‘He is presumed innocent. Let’s not forget that.”
Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City, after a McDonald’s customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said.
New York police officials have said Mangione had with him a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the suspected shooter used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs.
A law enforcement official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation and who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said a three-page handwritten document found with Mangione contained a line in which he claimed he acted alone.
“To the FBI, I’ll be brief because I respect what you do for our country. To spare you a lengthy investigation, I clearly state that I have not collaborated with anyone,” the official said in the document.
Thompson, 50, was killed on December 4 as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From surveillance footage, New York investigators determined that the gunman quickly fled the city, probably by bus.
Mangione was born into a life of country clubs and privilege. His grandfather was a self-made real estate developer and philanthropist.
“Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement released by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione, posted on social media late Monday. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for everyone involved.”
From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived in Surfbreak, a co-living space on the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Josiah Ryan, spokesman for owner and founder RJ Martin, said he was widely regarded as a “great guy” even though he had long dealt with severe back pain that disrupted many aspects of his life.
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Scolforo reported from Altoona and Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Contributing were Associated Press writers Cedar Attanasio and Jennifer Peltz in New York; Michael Rubinkam and Maryclaire Dale in Pennsylvania; Leah Skene in Baltimore; Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio.