PHILADELPHIA — The individual accused of murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare intends to contest his extradition to New York, where he faces homicide charges. Authorities, however, are optimistic about retrieving him through a procedure known as a governor’s warrant.
The timeline for this process can vary significantly; it could be resolved quickly or may extend beyond a month. As of Wednesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office had not yet formally requested the warrant from Pennsylvania after Luigi Mangione was charged with murder late on Monday.
Currently, Mangione is being held without bail at a facility in western Pennsylvania in connection to the death of Brian Thompson. He was apprehended Monday morning while having breakfast at a McDonald’s in Altoona, where police reported he was found with a firearm, a mask, and documents tying him to the murder.
To provide some clarity about the extradition process: a governor’s warrant is issued by the governor of the state where a fugitive has taken refuge following a criminal act. This warrant comes in response to a formal request from the governor of the state in which the crime was committed. In this situation, it is anticipated that Hochul will request a governor’s warrant from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
For Shapiro to sign off on this warrant, New York must furnish evidence that Mangione has been charged via an indictment, information, or, in his circumstances, an arrest warrant backed by a police affidavit. A spokesperson stated on Wednesday that Shapiro has been in communication with Hochul and is ready to sign and process the warrant promptly upon its receipt.
As of Wednesday, there was no indication that the request had been sent. Hochul might choose to wait for Mangione’s indictment, a possibility that could arise swiftly if prosecutors present their findings to a grand jury. According to Pennsylvania law, Mangione may be detained for up to 30 days while the authorities work on securing a governor’s warrant.
If a governor’s warrant is granted, Mangione will be required to appear before a Pennsylvania judge to verify his identity as the individual sought in New York. This identification might be established through matching his fingerprints or DNA with evidence collected from the crime scene or confirming his identity through other means.
Regarding whether Mangione will consent to the extradition, reports indicate that he plans to oppose it, as stated by a lawyer from Altoona who is representing him during the preliminary court appearances, including one on Tuesday where Mangione’s request for bail was denied. However, avoiding extradition can be a challenging endeavor. Prosecutors typically need to demonstrate that they have correctly identified the individual in their custody concerning the charges filed in the other state.
The duration of this process can vary widely; some extraditions happen within days, while others may extend over several months, particularly if the defense raises challenges. As of Wednesday, it appeared that authorities in New York were not in a hurry. To initiate a defense against extradition, Mangione must submit a petition in Pennsylvania by December 24.