Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty to murder and terrorism charges related to the killing of Brian Thompson, United Healthcare’s chief executive, in a high-profile New York case that has captivated the nation.
Mangione, 26, was arraigned in a Manhattan courtroom, where he leaned into a microphone to assert his innocence.
“Not guilty,” he stated. Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania following a five-day search.
He faces multiple charges, including murder as an act of terrorism, which was announced last week by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The charges stem from the cold-blooded shooting of Thompson while he was walking to a conference in New York City. The federal and state cases against Mangione are proceeding simultaneously. Federal charges could result in the death penalty, while state charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without parole.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, one of Mangione’s attorneys, criticised public officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, for politicising the case. She argued that such actions have undermined her client’s right to a fair trial by tainting the jury pool. “This young man is being treated like a human ping-pong ball between warring jurisdictions,” Agnifilo told the court.
Judge Gregory Carro assured that Mangione would receive a fair trial but noted his inability to control external narratives.
Mangione was arrested with a firearm matching the weapon used in the shooting and was reportedly in possession of a fake ID and a notebook, expressing animosity toward the health insurance industry and affluent executives.
Prosecutors described the killing as a meticulously planned act designed to incite fear and garner attention. DA Bragg emphasised the terrorism charge, stating the murder was intended to “evoke terror,” underscoring the gravity of the crime.
Defence attorney Agnifilo criticised the dual-track approach of the state and federal cases, calling it “confusing” and “highly unusual.” She remarked, “In 30 years of practising law, I’ve never seen anything like this.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case remains a focal point of public and legal scrutiny.
