The lawyer for the suspect accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson referred to a 1980s comedy film during a press conference.
Thomas Dickey was asked about his client, Luigi Mangione, during the Tuesday briefing and replied to questions about whether the 26-year-old was worried.
“Well, you know, I’m not gonna speculate on that, but like I said, use your common sense. If you were in a jail or confined in a state where supposedly there’s rumors going around, you’re going to be charged with murder, use your common sense,” the attorney said.
Dickey was asked what his “first impressions” were of the former Ivy League student who was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania and is charged with second-degree murder.
“I’m not– like the Airplane movie said, ‘Hey, give us your impression,’ and the guy says, ‘I don’t do impressions.’ So, I don’t– I wasn’t looking for impressions,” the lawyer said, appearing to be quoting a line from the 1982 film, ” Airplane II: The Sequel.”
“What I was trying to do was form a bond with my client. I want him to trust me and I want him to be confident that I’m here for him and I feel that– I’m very pleased how that went,” he added.
🚨BREAKING: Local defense attorney Thomas Dickey is in court today, representing Luigi Mangione at his extradition hearing.
Dickey has built a distinguished defense career, securing dismissals in first-degree murder cases, earning acquittals in high-profile trials, and… pic.twitter.com/ULBFIZk9h8
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) December 10, 2024
Mangione had to be escorted from the courtroom Tuesday where he was denied bail. He reportedly yelled and had to be restrained by police as he headed into the hearing earlier. His defense attorney maintained that authorities had nabbed the wrong guy.
“I haven’t seen any evidence that says he’s the shooter,” Dickey said. “The fundamental concept of American justice is a presumption of innocence until you’re proven guilty.”
He spoke with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Tuesday night, saying,“I haven’t seen any evidence that they have the right guy.”
BREAKING TONIGHT:
Luigi Mangione’s new defense attorney joins @kaitlancollins as the CEO shooting suspect fights extradition to New York and has an outburst heading into court today.
Watch the interview: pic.twitter.com/gPTlrtZP9X
— TheSourceCNN (@TheSourceCNN) December 11, 2024
Dickey said New York officials “need to convince me” as Mangioe fights extradition to the state where he is facing five charges. The lawyer also indicated that there have been offers from people to help pay Mangione’s legal bills.
“I have received some emails. I have not seen them personally, but my understanding from my staff is people are doing that,” Dickey said, telling Collins he “probably wouldn’t” accept the offers.
“Obviously my client appreciates the support that he has, but I don’t know, … it just doesn’t sit right with me,” he said.
