Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal murder charge of UnitedHealthcare Ceo as US seeks death penalty
Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty Friday in New York federal court to murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a case in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
The 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate faces federal charges of murder through use of a firearm, two counts of stalking, and a firearms offence, alongside separate state charges for the alleged December 4 murder.
Mr Thompson was fatally shot outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel while attending an investor event hosted by UnitedHealth Group.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mangione was arrested five days later at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s and has appeared before Judge Margaret Garnett in prison attire as he entered his plea.
The hearing followed a Justice Department filing Thursday arguing for capital punishment, citing the killing’s “substantial planning and premeditation” and Mangione’s alleged intent to “provoke broad-based resistance” against the health insurance industry.
US Prosecutors claimed Mangione sought to “amplify an ideological message” and posed an ongoing threat due to his efforts to evade capture while armed with a ghost gun and silencer.
Attorney General Pam Bondi previously called the murder a “cold-blooded assassination that shocked America,” prompting Mangione’s defence to accuse her of prejudicing jurors. Garnett warned both sides to avoid public statements that could compromise a fair trial.
Mangione’s lawyers, including Karen Agnifilo, have challenged the death penalty pursuit as “political” and unconstitutional.
