Luigi Mangione will not face the firearm and forgery charges brought against him in Pennsylvania until the charges against him in New York are resolved, Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks said following Thursday’s court hearings.
During Magione’s hearing there was an acknowledgement that a writ of habeas corpus had been filed and was being withdrawn, as well as an acknowledgement that Mangione had an attorney, Weeks said.
Additionally, redactions to their standard extradition paperwork about some of the language related to the treatment by police were made, according to the district attorney.
“He didn’t agree to say that he was treated nicely by the police officers at all times,” Weeks said. Mangione did not enter a plea on his Pennsylvania charges.
“I don’t believe he experienced any issues at all,” Weeks said when asked to elaborate on any issues with police treatment. “I’m not going to speak to Attorney Dickey’s motivations to the last minute demand for changes, but we certainly wanted to go forward today with the waiver of extradition.”
Weeks told reporters that a preliminary hearing would be scheduled, but that Blair County does not expect to transport Mangione back from to New York to Pennsylvania to face his charges there until after he is tried in New York.
“I certainly think as a practical matter, it would have been laughable and a waste of resources and time for us to try to keep this defendant here for our charges and delay New York’s custody of the defendant for the more serious case,” Weeks added.
The district attorney said he had no doubt that Mangione would receive a fair trial. “The questions juries ask in trials, even high profile trials, show me that they’re paying attention, they’re conscientious, and they really want to evaluate the evidence,” he said. “So I have no doubt that he can receive a fair trial.”
