MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — Jason Labar is no stranger to high-profile cases. Labar is the Chief public defender in Monroe County. He represented defendant Bryan Kohberger while the accused killer awaited extradition to Idaho on murder charges.
Now, a new case has everyone's attention. Police arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione at a McDonald's in Altoona earlier this week. He's accused of gunning down United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson in New York.
"It seems like all eyes are on PA. I'm just glad it is three hours west of here."
Labar explains that in the case of Luigi Mangione, the extradition process is different from the Kohberger case. Kohberger agreed to extradition, but 26-year-old Mangione is fighting extradition back to the state where the crime happened.
"I get that question a lot right now, having dealt with Kohberger and the difference between the two. As far as extradition is concerned, I think Kathy Hochul has already come out and said she is requesting extradition to New York."
So what happens at an extradition hearing when a defendant contests?
"At that point, PA would have to prove that he is the person matching the description of the individual that was in New York at the time of the offense," explained Labar.
Labar explained that contesting the move back to New York could slightly slow the legal process, but he expects New York officials to act swiftly.
The process to contest extradition takes about 10-15 days for the hearing now. Whether or not that happens in 10-15 days is really not up to anyone except for the county that has the hearing.
Mangione will remain at a state prison in western Pennsylvania until that hearing.