Luigi Mangione faces criminal charges not only in New York, where federal and state officials accuse him of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, but also in Pennsylvania. But Mangione may have grounds on which to fight the Pennsylvania charges. If you face serious criminal charges for an alleged violent offense in Pennsylvania, retain the LLF Law Firm's skilled defense attorneys now by calling 888-535-3686 or using our online form. Let our skilled and experienced attorneys help you fight your Pennsylvania criminal charges.

Mangione's Pennsylvania Arrest

Pennsylvania police arrested Mangione on December 9, 2024, at an Altoona McDonald's, several days after the December 5th midtown Manhattan shooting. A manhunt throughout the Northeast U.S. led a customer at the restaurant to contact police after noticing Mangione's similarity to the widely circulated surveillance images.

Pennsylvania Search and Seizure

When Pennsylvania police seized and arrested Mangione at the Altoona McDonald's, they allege finding a gun similar to the one used to kill Thompson. They also allege finding on Mangione the same false identification the alleged shooter used to check into a New York hostel and other fake IDs. Pennsylvania authorities held Mangione in the local jail until he waived extradition to New York, where he is currently in a federal facility.

Mangione's Pennsylvania Criminal Charges

Mangione faces state murder and terrorism charges in New York, with a federal indictment pending. But in Pennsylvania, where authorities arrested Mangione, he faces state criminal charges for forgery, possessing an unlicensed firearm, and providing false identification to police. The Pennsylvania officials conducting the prosecution indicate their intention to hold the Pennsylvania state criminal charges until New York adjudicates the more serious murder and terrorism charges, after which Pennsylvania may proceed. Mangione, in other words, may face a Pennsylvania criminal trial, no matter the outcome of his New York criminal proceedings.

Mangione's Defense to the Pennsylvania Charges

Mangione's conviction is not a foregone conclusion. Mangione may always contest the strength and credibility of the evidence, no matter how strong it appears, trying to raise a reasonable doubt. Yet even if the physical, video, and circumstantial evidence against him is convincing beyond a reasonable doubt, Mangione is almost certain to raise at least two constitutional defenses.

Constitutional Defenses to Pennsylvania Charges

Mangione's first line of defense will be that his Altoona arrest and search violated his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. He may claim that the officers making his arrest lacked probable cause to do so and that their searches of his person and vehicle exceeded their constitutional authority. Mangione will also contest his ability to obtain a fair jury trial, given all the publicity surrounding the shooting, manhunt, and arrest.

Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Available

If you face serious criminal charges in Pennsylvania alleging your violent crime, immediately retain the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team for the skilled and experienced defense services you need. Call 888-535-3686 or access our online form now.