The legal defense of two of the nation's most high-profile criminal cases is being handled by a husband-and-wife duo, Karen Friedman Agnifilo and Marc Agnifilo, who bring decades of legal expertise to the courtroom.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo has been retained by Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen public attack earlier this month. Mangione allegedly shot the executive outside a New York hotel where the company's parent organization was holding an investor conference. Meanwhile, her husband, Marc Agnifilo, is spearheading Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense against federal sex trafficking charges.
Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, has been charged with second-degree murder and multiple related offenses. Following a five-day manhunt, he was apprehended at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania after an employee recognized him. Authorities claim that Mangione was carrying a firearm and a fake ID at the time of his arrest.
Luigi Mangione retains high-powered New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him. Yes, she is the wife of Diddy's attorney Marc Agnifilo pic.twitter.com/bsDDD5WcGF — Paralegal Institute DC (@InstituteDc) December 14, 2024
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a veteran of New York's legal system, is expected to draw on her years of experience as the former chief assistant district attorney under Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance. Known for her deep knowledge of state courts, Friedman Agnifilo joined her husband's private firm in 2021 after spending decades as a prosecutor.
"She's got as much experience as any human being, especially in state court," a former colleague told CNN. "She knows every corridor, every judge, every clerk in the courthouse."
During her tenure in the DA's office, Friedman Agnifilo handled numerous high-stakes cases and gained a reputation for navigating intense media scrutiny, a skill that will likely prove invaluable in Mangione's high-profile trial.
Mangione, who is currently being held in Pennsylvania, may soon be extradited to New York, where he will face the charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicated on Friday that Mangione is expected to waive his extradition, a legal step that could happen as early as Tuesday.
Friedman Agnifilo's legal expertise has intersected with her husband's work before. She was required to recuse herself from the Harvey Weinstein rape case due to Marc Agnifilo's involvement in the disgraced producer's defense. Now, she must juggle Mangione's defense while her husband tackles Diddy's federal case.
The murder of Brian Thompson has sent shockwaves through both the corporate and legal worlds. Thompson, 50, was gunned down on a bustling Manhattan street in broad daylight, underscoring the case's gravity. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Agnifilo power couple's involvement in these cases highlights their prominence in the legal field. Marc Agnifilo, who has also represented high-profile clients like Diddy and Weinstein, is no stranger to cases that dominate headlines.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo's move to private practice has allowed her to leverage her prosecutorial background in defense cases that are as complex as they are contentious. She is also a prominent legal analyst and advisor, known for her work on Law and Order and a popular weekly legal podcast.
