The attorney representing suspected UnitedHealth CEO assassin Luigi Mangione told reporters in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday afternoon that he stands behind his client pleading not guilty — and has not seen any evidence tying him to the crime.
This comes even as Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald's after reportedly trying to use a fake ID, had a ghost gun and a manifesto that stated, "these parasites had it coming" and "it had to be done."
"So right now, though, you're telling us that he is pleading not guilty, that that that is correct," a reporter asked attorney Thomas Dickey. "You are under the impression or you're trying to defend the client on the fact that he is not the shooter."
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"Listen, I haven't seen any evidence that says that he's the shooter," said Dickey. "So that's — you know, like I, like I said earlier, and I wasn't kidding around a couple of things, if you're going to report something, report accurately. And remember and this is not just a small thing, the fundamental concept of American justice is a presumption of innocence. And until you're proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt — and I've seen zero evidence at this point."
When a reporter further noted that the NYPD has released photo evidence of Mangione, Dickey said, "I don't have any control over what the NYPD does."
"And if they release something, I hope I can get my hands on them. And if you guys get them, send them to me. I'd appreciate it," he said.
The killing of Brian Thompson, whose health insurance firm is broadly unpopular, led to an outpouring of celebration on some corners of the internet, with people frustrated over being denied health claims posting their stories and arguing he had it coming.
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), while announcing the arrest, sought to tamp down on the mob mentality, proclaiming the assassin "is no hero" and asking the public to show respect to the victim and his family.
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