Attorneys representing Luigi Mangione have stated that he showed concern for a McDonald’s employee who alerted authorities to his whereabouts, which led to his arrest.
Mangione was taken into custody at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, just days after he allegedly shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan last December. He now faces charges of murder and terrorism in both state and federal courts.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges in state court and has not yet entered a plea in federal court.
In a letter to the judge handling his state case, which has been made public, Mangione’s lawyers mentioned that he expressed remorse for the employee who recognized him and called 911. They claimed that Mangione said he was sorry for any trouble caused that day and questioned whether the employee’s information would be made public, as he believed it could lead to backlash against her.
This letter was sent to counter allegations from prosecutors that Mangione’s actions had resulted in harassment and threats against potential witnesses. His lawyers argued that Mangione’s apology contradicts any notion that he intended to intimidate or harm anyone.
While Mangione remains in federal custody awaiting trial, he has garnered a mix of support, particularly from individuals upset with the health insurance industry. In responses to a defense motion for a laptop to review evidence, prosecutors noted that someone attempted to send a supportive message hidden in a pair of socks. The note reportedly conveyed that many people were wishing Mangione well during this challenging time.
