Luigi Mangione claims evidence found on him was planted in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case
Courtesy: Luigi Mangione/X, Altoona Police
During his initial court appearance, Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, reportedly alleged that evidence found on him may have been planted. Mangione was arrested on Monday, December 9, on gun-related charges and is considered the prime suspect in Thompson’s fatal shooting on December 4.
Mangione was first identified at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, located several hundred miles from the crime scene. According to the Associated Press, he was apprehended on weapons and forgery charges, with Manhattan prosecutors filing murder and other charges shortly afterward.
Altoona police reported that during his arrest, Mangione was found with a 'ghost gun,' a manifesto, fake identification, and a Faraday backpack capable of blocking signals. Authorities also stated he had a significant amount of cash in his possession.
CNN correspondent Danny Freeman shared details of Mangione’s arraignment in Pennsylvania on Monday night. Freeman reported that Mangione challenged prosecutors’ claims, asserting that the money discovered did not belong to him and disputing the description of his backpack.
According to Freeman, prosecutors stated that “10,000—8,000 in U.S. dollars and $2,000 in foreign currency were found in his possession.” They also suggested that the Faraday bag implied a level of criminal sophistication.
However, Mangione countered the prosecution’s claims, saying: "Mangione actually said at the end of that speech by the prosecution, 'I'd like to correct two things. First, I don't know where any of that money came from, I'm not sure if it was planted. And also, that bag was waterproof, so I don't know about criminal sophistication,'" Freeman reported on CNN.
Mangione is currently being held without bail in Pennsylvania. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny announced at a press conference that Mangione would be extradited to New York.
According to Newsweek, extradition proceedings for Mangione are expected to begin immediately, given that charges have already been filed in New York. However, if Mangione decides to contest the extradition, the process could be delayed by approximately 45 days.