Luigi Mangione’s lawyers claim that Pennsylvania police collected his DNA in an illegal way. They say officers gave him food and soda at the police station, not as a courtesy, but to obtain evidence. Luigi Mangione’s lawyers argue that this happened on the day of his arrest. Mangione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His legal team argues that since the arrest itself was unlawful, all evidence gathered that day should be dismissed.
Lawyers Argue McDonald’s Arrest Had No Probable Cause
Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9. Luigi Mangione’s lawyers say police had no real evidence against him at that moment. They also claim that officers failed to inform him of his rights for at least 20 minutes. More than ten officers surrounded him when he was taken into custody. Because of these issues, his legal team says any evidence collected afterward is not valid in court.
Police Used Food and Drinks to Gather DNA at Station
After the arrest, Mangione was taken to the police station. While in custody, officers gave him food and a soda. His lawyers claim that police did this not out of kindness but as a way to collect his DNA without a warrant. They argue that since the arrest was unlawful, any DNA obtained this way should not be allowed in court. Luigi Mangione’s lawyers believe this was a deliberate investigative tactic used against their client.
Anonymous 911 Call Led Police to Fast Food Restaurant
Police only found Mangione at McDonald’s because of an anonymous tip. Luigi Mangione’s lawyers argue that officers had no independent proof that he was the person they were looking for in New York. They claim the arrest was based on a simple suspicion and not on solid evidence. They argue that this lack of probable cause makes the entire arrest invalid.
Defense Lawyers Want Other Evidence Thrown Out Too
Mangione’s lawyers are not only challenging the DNA evidence. They also want the court to reject items found in his backpack. According to police, they found a ghost gun, a silencer, a loaded Glock magazine, and multiple fake IDs. His legal team argues that since the arrest was illegal, this evidence should not be used at trial. They want all of it removed from the case.
Defense Team Seeks to Dismiss Charges in Pennsylvania
Mangione is facing charges in Pennsylvania related to weapons possession, forgery, and false identification. His lawyers are working to get these charges dismissed. They claim that the state has no right to use evidence obtained through an unlawful arrest. If successful, this could weaken the prosecution’s case against him.
Accused of High-Profile Murder in New York
Mangione is accused of shooting Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4. After the killing, he allegedly fled and avoided capture for five days. Police finally arrested him in Pennsylvania. Now, he is facing serious charges in both state and federal courts in New York. His legal troubles are far from over.
Mangione Claims Innocence While Supporters Raise Money
Despite the charges, Mangione has pleaded not guilty in all cases. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and has gained a surprising amount of public support. Many people believe he is innocent. His supporters have raised nearly $740,000 to help pay for his legal defense. The case has drawn national attention, with many following its developments closely.
Prosecutors Have Not Responded to Legal Claims Yet
The Blair County District Attorney’s Office is handling the Pennsylvania case. So far, they have not made any public comments on the claims made by Luigi Mangione’s lawyers. It remains unclear how they will respond to these legal challenges. The outcome of this case could have a major impact on Mangione’s defense in the murder trial in New York.
