Luigi Mangione has enlisted the services of renowned attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him in connection with New York charges related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The law firm, Agnifilo Intrater LLC, confirmed her role in the case but did not provide additional details, stating that she would refrain from making any public comments at this time.
Friedman Agnifilo is well-regarded in the legal community, having served as the chief assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office under Cyrus Vance Jr. for seven years, and she was also the chief of the trial division for four years.
Mangione’s arrest followed a multi-day manhunt, concluding when he was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania. At the time of his arrest, he was discovered dining at a McDonald’s with a backpack that allegedly contained evidence linking him to Thompson’s murder.
The charges he faces in New York include one count of murder, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of possession of a forged instrument. Additionally, he was arraigned in Pennsylvania on multiple charges, including forgery and illegal possession of a firearm. Currently, Mangione is incarcerated at Huntingdon State Correctional Institution, where he remains isolated and is contesting extradition to New York.
Following his arrest, various online fundraising campaigns emerged to support Mangione, with several appearing on GoFundMe. However, those campaigns were removed due to the company’s policies against fundraising for legal defenses in violent crime cases. In contrast, another platform, GiveSendGo, has allowed a fundraiser that has raised over $94,000, advocating for Mangione’s right to fair legal representation. This campaign aims to raise $200,000, although it is uncertain if the funds will cover Mangione’s legal expenses.
Mangione’s attorney in Pennsylvania, Thomas Dickey, has stated that he has yet to see evidence linking his client to the crime and indicated that Mangione plans to plead not guilty to the charges against him.
In light of this challenging situation, Mangione’s family may be grappling with significant emotional and financial stress. The situation serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in the pursuit of justice and the fundamental right to legal representation. The legal proceedings ahead could unfold in various ways, and as the case progresses, there remains hope for a fair resolution.