How elderly retirees could be Luigi Mangione's ticket to freedom
Elderly retirees could be the key to alleged assassin Luigi Mangione's freedom, a prison expert revealed.
The Ivy League graduate pleaded not guilty to 11 criminal counts - including a terrorism charge - relating to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City earlier this month.
With a highly-anticipated trial on the horizon, Wall Street Prison Consultants founder Larry Levine shared how he believes the situation will unfold for the 26-year-old.
Levine, who served 10 years in prison, told The Sun: 'He'll never be found guilty. Who primarily uses healthcare? Older people.
'Who gets turned down for procedures and healthcare primary care? Older people. Who primarily sits on a jury? Older people.
'This is no longer about Luigi and what he did. It's about the healthcare system.'
Retirees are less likely to have valid excuses, such as employment or childcare responsibilities, which would exclude them from serving on a jury.
Mangione supporters have been rallying behind him at his court appearances, with many bearing signs that advocate for his freedom.
Luigi Mangione, 26, has received heaps of support for his alleged actions. He pleaded not guilty to 11 criminal counts
Protestors beared signs outside of Manhattan Criminal Court urging for Mangione's freedom
Wall Street Prison Consultants founder Larry Levine has revealed why he thinks Mangione will be found not guilty
His death has become a lightning rod for people who say they are fed up with the American healthcare industry - regardless of their age.
Nicholas Zamudio, 33, was one of the demonstrators in front of the Lower Manhattan courthouse where Mangione had his arraignment on December 23.
Holding a sign reading 'United States Healthcare Stole My Livelihood. Prosecute Malicious Profiteers,' he explained to ABC that he suffered from a similar back injury to Mangione's.
He told the outlet: 'I guess a lot kind of resonated with me in regards to the pain and not getting help with the healthcare system.
'I think murder is obviously wrong, but it did bring us to a point we needed to get to.'
Levine predicted that prosecutors will waste years trying to convict Mangione, but in the end he will be found 'not guilty by reasons of insanity.'
'Would a normal person have done that? No. So, he really is cuckoo. So, what they'll do is they'll find him not guilty by reasons of insanity, and then they'll do something called a civil commitment,' he told the publication.
Civil commitment means that a judge is able to order an individual to be involuntarily admitted to to a psychiatric institution.
He stands accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4
Some Mangione fans are more infatuated by his looks than his motivations behind allegedly shooting the CEO
He continued: 'Now the case has taken on a whole new life because it's not gonna be about the murder.
'That's why this whole thing is gonna be convoluted. He won't be found guilty, they'll retry him, he won't be found guilty, and they'll just do a civil commitment. I guarantee it.'
Aside from those who feel passionately about the healthcare industry, others have shown their support for Mangione solely based on his appearance - gushing over him on social media.
'Need him bad,' one user posted on X alongside photos of a smiling Mangione.
Another user who has posted a series of pro-Mangione messages and photos on the platform said: 'good luck finding 12 jury members that don't want to f*ck him.'
Added another commenter: 'Luigi Mangione got the full package, free him.'
Mangione's next state court appearance is set for February 21, but he is planned to appear in federal court on January 18.
He has yet to enter a plea for his four federal charges, which were brought upon him on December 19.
People have interpreted Brian Thompson's death symbolically - claiming it demonstrated peoples' frustration with the healthcare industry
Mangione is in jail at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). This facility also houses Sean 'Diddy' Combs
'Luigi Mangione allegedly conducted the carefully premeditated and targeted execution of Brian Thompson to incite national debates,' FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director James Dennehy said in a statement announcing the charges.
The federal charges are using a firearm to commit murder, interstate stalking resulting in death, stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death and discharging a firearm that was equipped with a silencer in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Mangione is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center alongside disgraced rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
He was arrested on December 9 in an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonald's after a five-day manhunt for the suspect.
