Overview
- Defense filings challenge a ruling that blocks Luigi Mangione from appearing in person at a Nov. 7 Blair County hearing on Pennsylvania weapons and ID charges.
- Federal prosecutors say he will not be moved from a Brooklyn lockup and will only be made available by video, citing logistics, cost, security concerns and public attention.
- Attorney Tom Dickey asserts Mangione’s rights to a speedy trial and personal presence, refuses remote participation, and seeks a separate hearing to resolve his availability.
- Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks says his office will continue steps to preserve the case and is prepared to proceed with a remote appearance.
- Mangione faces death-eligible federal terrorism and murder charges and separate New York state counts over the Dec. 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, while the Blair County case stems from his Altoona arrest with an alleged ghost gun and forged ID; a former prosecutor says the defense may be pressuring Pennsylvania to dismiss the lesser charges.