Luigi Mangione, the former police officer accused of shooting and killing an unarmed man, was led out of a Pennsylvania courthouse in handcuffs, his head down and his eyes cast downward, as he faced a judge who will determine his fate.
Mangione, 45, was taken into custody after a judge denied his request to be released on bail and threatened to revoke his bond, saying he presented a “clear and present danger” to the community.
The former police officer was arrested in August 2020 after a video surfaced showing him shooting and killing 27-year-old Antwon Roscoe, who was unarmed and running away from Mangione during a traffic stop.
Mangione’s defense team had argued that he used deadly force because he believed Roscoe had a gun in his waistband, but prosecutors said there was no evidence to support that claim.
Mangione’s arrest and his subsequent imprisonment has led to widespread outrage and calls for police reform, with many calling for him to be held accountable for his actions.
As Mangione was led away in handcuffs, he was met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from the standing-room-only courtroom, where many attendees had gathered to see the former officer face justice.
The judge has set a Feb. 24 trial date, and Mangione’s defense team has indicated that they will argue that their client’s actions were justified. But many in the community are hopeful that the justice system will hold Mangione accountable for his actions and send a message that police brutality will not be tolerated.