(NewsNation) — Thomas Dickey, Luigi Mangione’s lawyer, tells NewsNation that “I haven’t seen any evidence” backing up accusations his client shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York last week.
“I don’t want people to jump to these prejudgment things because nobody would ever want that if they were accused, or one of their loved ones were accused,” Dickey said exclusively on “CUOMO” Tuesday.
The attorney pointed out that the ghost gun found on Mangione when he was arrested at an Altoona, Pennsylvania, McDonald’s Monday has not definitively been matched to the one used in Thompson’s death.
“I haven’t been certainly made aware of that. I haven’t seen any holistic report,” he said. “So, if you’ve seen that already, then that’s interesting because I certainly haven’t seen that.”
Investigators said Mangione matched the description of the ID they were searching for and was found in possession of several items they believe would connect him to the shooting.
Those allegedly include a mask, firearm, suppressor, fake New Jersey ID that investigators believe was used to check into a hostel in New York and a handwritten document speaking to his motivation.
Dickey emphasized that he’d only started representing his client for about “12 hours” before the TV interview and apologized that his lack of knowledge of the rumors circulating about Mangione may “disappoint” many.
“I got to look at evidence and, you know, not going to go by conjecture and opinions and speculation, what people think,” he explained.
Luigi Mangione’s lawyer: ‘He’s entitled to bail’
Dickey also pointed to Pennsylvania law that classifies most crimes — except for capital punishment cases or when punishment includes life without parole — as bailable offenses.
In Pennsylvania, Mangione was charged Monday with forgery, carrying firearms without a license, having “instruments of a crime,” tampering with records or information and false identification to law enforcement.
Later that day, Manhattan prosecutors filed a second-degree murder charge, among others, against Mangione, according to an online court docket obtained by NewsNation.
On Tuesday, a judge denied Mangione bail. The state of Pennsylvania is pursuing a governor’s warrant to transfer him to New York and has 30 days to do so.
Dickey said that in Pennsylvania, a second-degree murder charge doesn’t warrant life without parole.
“[Because of] those two exclusions, he’s entitled to bail,” Dickey said. “Whether it’s $10 billion or $10,000 or whatever, the judge had that discretion, but he should have set bail.”
Lawyer describes meeting accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter
Dickey recalled his first meeting with Mangione, telling NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo he intended to “develop a relationship, a bond,” with his client rather than assess him or his mental state.
“He seemed to understand my questions. He seemed to be able to interact with me, and so I was pleased with that,” he said.
When asked about Mangione’s mood, Dickey said to use your “common sense” about how one accused of such a crime would feel.
Dickey also addressed the public Tuesday afternoon in a press conference from his law firm in Altoona, Pennsylvania, roughly 35 miles from the State Correctional Institution Huntingdon, where Mangione is currently being held without bail as he attempts to fight extradition to New York.
Dickey, who took on the case Tuesday, refused to clarify who hired him during that press conference.
Mangione will remain in the State Correctional Institution Huntingdon until a governor’s warrant is secured.
Blair County, Pennsylvania, District Attorney Peter Weeks said both Pennsylvania and New York’s governors feel confident they can obtain a governor’s warrant before the deadline.
Who is Luigi Mangione?
Mangione had no prior criminal record.
A spokesperson with the University of Pennsylvania confirmed that Mangione attended and graduated with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering.
NewsNation local affiliate WPIX confirmed that Mangione was employed as the head counselor for the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program in 2019.
The Mangione family issued a statement following his arrest.
“Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” the statement said. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news.”
NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside, Rich McHugh, Alex Caprariello and Brian Entin contributed to this report.
