High-Profile Lawyer to Defend UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Suspect

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NEW YORK — The suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has secured prominent legal representation as Manhattan prosecutors pursue his extradition from Pennsylvania.

Luigi Mangione will be defended by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former high-ranking deputy in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.

Agnifilo Intrater LLP, Friedman Agnifilo’s firm, confirmed her representation of Mangione late Friday, stating she would not comment on the case.

Mangione’s arrest followed a McDonald’s customer in Altoona, Pennsylvania, recognizing him as a person of interest in the December 4th killing of Brian Thompson in Manhattan.

Police apprehended Mangione with a firearm, mask, and materials allegedly linking him to the ambush outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson was attending his company’s investor conference.

Mangione, 26, remains incarcerated without bail in Pennsylvania, facing initial charges of gun and forgery offenses. Altoona is approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) from New York City.

His Pennsylvania attorney, Thomas Dickey, urged against prejudgment and indicated Mangione would oppose extradition.

However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated Friday that indications suggest Mangione might waive his extradition fight.

“We will continue to proceed on multiple fronts, prepared for either a waiver or contest of extradition,” Bragg stated at an unrelated press conference in Times Square.

Stan Patz Karen Agnifilo

Following Mangione’s arrest, Bragg’s office filed charges including intentional murder, weapons possession, and forgery.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated she would request a governor’s warrant from her Pennsylvania counterpart, Josh Shapiro, to compel Mangione’s extradition if necessary.

Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione’s new counsel, served as Chief Assistant District Attorney from 2014 to 2021, previously heading the office’s trial division. She is a frequent television commentator, podcast co-host, and legal advisor for “Law & Order.”

Her husband and law partner, Mark Agnifilo, represents Sean “Diddy” Combs in a Manhattan federal sex trafficking case.