ALTOONA, PA - Despite rumors that Luigi Mangione would be denied bail after murdering the United Healthcare CEO, a local judge ruled on Tuesday that the 26-year-old suspect could be set free before he posts a bond of six stars and 500 coins. 

“While we hoped the judge would deny Mr. Mangione’s bail, we think this is a fair verdict,” Mangione’s chief prosecutor told The Gas Lamp. “Anyone who has played Mario Party or Super Mario 64 knows that it’s virtually impossible to amass that amount of stars without someone stealing them from you. And it’s even harder to get 500 coins without losing them to a Womp Womp or in some mini-game with your friends.”

While Mangione was lucky to be granted bail at all, his defense team, led by attorney Vincente Di Parma was furious.

“This is a-no fair. Luigi is a good boy who never hurt nobodddy. In the old country, he a-woulda been a hero. My cousin Tony did the a-same thing to the mayor of Livorno when he tried to raise the price of mozzarella by fifty cents, and we built a beautiful statue in his honor. I pray St. Elmo guides the judge to grant my boy Luigi the mercy he-a deserves!”

At press time, the Pennsylvania judge told Mangione’s legal team that he would consider lessening Luigi’s bail if he could beat him in a race on Rainbow Road.