Luigi Mangione's Attorney Questions Why NYC Mayor Adams Was Present For His Perp Walk: 'Political Fodder'

Luigi Mangione's attorney is raising concerns about whether the accused killer of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson can get a fair trial, calling out a specific New York City official for making politicizing the arrest proceedings.

"Like every other defendant, he's entitled to a presumption of innocence," said Mangione's lead attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, at a court appearance in New York Monday. "But unfortunately, the way this has been handled so far, his rights are being violated. As you know, your honor, there's a wealth of case law guaranteeing his right to a fair trial. But none of the safeguards have been put in place here. In fact, it's just the opposite of what's been happening."

Friedman Agnifilo said that Mangione was being treated as if he were some sort of "political fodder." The attorney noted that Mangione was subjected to the "biggest staged perp walk I've ever seen."

Agnifilo questioned why New York City Mayor Eric Adams - himself under indictment on a variety of charges in an unrelated bribery case - was at the perp walk.

"That just made it utterly political," Agnifilo said in court, adding that the staged perp walk, which included the police holding large assault rifles, was unconstitutional.

Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4. Thompson was walking to an investors conference in Manahattan when Mangione is alleged to have shot him. The killing has captivated the nation and led to an outpouring of frustration directed at the health insurance industry.

Tags

Murder, Murder investigation, New York