Lawyers deny reports of plea-deal discussions in Mangione case
Attorneys for Luigi Mangione say claims of plea-bargaining talks with federal prosecutors are unfounded, contradicting reports that the parties had been in contact.
Sources familiar with the Mangione case told a media outlet that no formal plea-bargain negotiations have taken place between federal prosecutors and the defendant's counsel. The same outlet previously reported that the defense and prosecutors had discussed a possible plea ahead of a scheduled hearing on Monday, though it did not specify the outcome of those discussions.
Mangione's lead attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, rejected the earlier report, stating that information attributed to anonymous sources was intended to prejudice the defendant and influence public perception. She emphasized that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that Mangione faces separate state murder charges and federal interstate stalking charges related to the death of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The defense had initially indicated it would raise an extreme emotional distress argument, later withdrawing that position but indicating it may be revisited later.
