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A perp walk publicity stunt didn’t quite send the message intended as Gotham’s mayor was criticized for “Arkham Asylum” imagery.

(Video: PIX 11)

Thursday in New York City, Luigi Mangione, the alleged assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arrived following his extradition from Pennsylvania where he was escorted by a large cohort of law enforcement officials. Completing the scene some say looked ripped out of a Michael Bay film, was the ever-bespoke-suited Mayor Eric Adams (D) who wanted to “look him in the eye.”

Such was Hizzoner’s explanation during an interview with PIX 11’s Dan Mannarino for “PIX on Politics” when he was asked, “why did you feel the need to go to the heliport and actually greet him once he got off that helicopter?”

“I was at a conference a few days ago with the top CEOs; IBM, Deloitte. It was a room full of CEOs and governmental officials and the shooting, the intentional shooting and the response after really traumatized the entire industry,” said Adams. “Not only the CEOs, but the employees. People forget that and I wanted to send a strong message with the police commissioner that we’re leading from the front.”

“I’m not going to just allow him to come into our city. I wanted to look him in the eye and stated that you carried out this terrorist act in my city, the city that the people of New York love, and I wanted to be there to show the symbolism of that,” stated the mayor, seemingly asserting guilt in lieu of the presumed innocence of the suspect due by the justice system.

In addition to his tough talk for the interview, Adams had shared video and images from the perp walk on X with the message, “Luigi Mangione was brought back to New York City to answer to the charges in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Those who bring illegal guns to our city will face justice. I want to thank all the individuals and law enforcement who helped bring this suspect into custody. The NYPD stops at nothing to catch criminals.”

Facing both state and federal charges and potential penalties of life in prison or the death penalty if found guilty, the latter made for a “highly unusual situation” his attorney, former Manhattan chief assistant district attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo had told the court. “Yesterday there was a press conference held by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office that was announcing these murder in furtherance of terrorism charges, and there was absolutely no mention that Mr. Mangione was going to be charged federally.”

While Adams would go on to raise concerns about mental health for young people and radicalization on college campuses, the spectacle of Magnione’s arrival was shredded as being counterproductive.

Kevin Haggerty
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