The suspect accused of killing UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson pleaded not guilty to New York state charges. Luigi Mangione, 26, faced arraignment on 11 state criminal counts, including murder as a crime of terrorism.
He also faces federal stalking and murder charges, which could lead to the death penalty. Prosecutors allege Mangione shot Thompson in central Manhattan before fleeing. Authorities later arrested him at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
Mangione appeared in court on Monday, wearing a maroon sweater, white-collared shirt, and khaki pants. Journalists and members of the public, mostly young women, filled the courtroom to show support.
Mangione faces 11 state counts in New York, including first-degree murder and terrorism. Conviction on all counts would mean life in prison without parole. Federal prosecutors also charged Mangione with using a firearm to commit murder and interstate stalking resulting in death, both making him eligible for the death penalty.
He has not yet entered a plea on federal charges. Prosecutors stated the federal and state cases would proceed in parallel.
Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, claimed the state and federal charges conflict. She said state charges accuse him of intimidating a civilian population, while federal charges focus on individual crimes.
Agnifilo described the overlapping cases as “confusing” and “highly unusual,” noting her 30 years in law. She expressed concern about Mangione’s right to a fair trial, citing statements from government officials.
She accused authorities of treating Mangione as “political fodder” and a “spectacle” during his return to New York. Judge Gregory Carro promised a fair trial, despite external influences. The state’s prosecutor noted the high volume of quality evidence in the case.
Mangione remains in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn. Authorities believe he targeted Thompson, showing evidence of his anger towards the US healthcare industry. A notebook found with Mangione expressed hostility towards health insurance and wealthy executives.
Some social media users praised Mangione’s alleged crimes, sharing their anger at the US private healthcare system. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called the online rhetoric “extraordinarily alarming,” reflecting domestic violent extremism.
