Defense Calls for Mangione to Have Access to Computer in Prison

Luigi Mangione is a suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan, New York, on December 4, 2024. Defense attorneys for 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who is being held on suspicion of murdering the United Healthcare CEO, have asked that the young man be given access to a computer for legal purposes while he awaits trial.

According to ABC News, in a court filing made public Monday, attorneys for Luigi Mangione proposed that a laptop be installed in his cell so the suspect could view documents, videos and other materials related to the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The defense also clarifies that if Luigi Mangione has access to a notebook he will not be able to connect to the internet, play video games or watch movies or other entertainment. However, it will allow the detainee to access more than 15,000 pages of documents and thousands of hours of video that prosecutors have gathered and were forced to turn over to his lawyers.

The Manhattan County District Attorney's Office did not respond to a request for comment, and according to Mangione's lawyers, prosecutors are reticent about the request, saying some witnesses have been threatened.

Defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo wrote, the television station quotes her as saying, that "there is no connection to Mr. Mangione for any of the alleged threats."

If access to a computer is denied, Mangione will be able to view the material when he meets with his defense. However, lawyers say that visiting hours are not enough for this to happen and for the detainee to prepare his defense.

It is worth remembering that Luigi Mangione is suspected of the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, outside a hotel in Manhattan, New York, on December 4, 2024. At the time, he fled, but ended up being intercepted, less than a week later, at a McDonald's, in the state of Pennsylvania.

The 26-year-old is charged with 11 counts, including three counts of murder and one count of murder as an act of terrorism. However, he has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in New York state that classify him as a terrorist.

In February, Luigi Mangione 'spoke' for the first time after being arrested. In a statement published on his website, he expressed his gratitude to his supporters, days before appearing in court.