Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal murder in the murder of Brian Thompson of United Healthcare, as prosecutors formally declared their intention to seek the death penalty against him.
Mangion, 26, was standing with his lawyer when he entered the plea. US District Judge Margaret Garnett moved forward towards the microphone as he asked if he understood the charges and charges against him.
Mangion said “Yes.” When asked how he wanted to plead, Mangion sat down simply saying “not guilty.”
The formal process of filing accusations against Mangion for the murder last December attracted dozens of people in federal court in Manhattan.
Mangion has been held in federal prison in Brooklyn since his arrest.
Late Thursday night, federal prosecutors submitted necessary notices of intent to seek the death penalty.
It comes weeks after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondy announced that he would instruct federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for what she called “acts of political violence” and what she called “deliberate, cold-blooded assassinations that shocked America.”
It was the first time the Justice Department has said it is pursuing the death penalty since President Donald Trump took office on January 20th, pledging to resume federal execution after halting under the Biden administration.
Mangion’s lawyers argued that Bondi’s announcement was a “political stunt” that corrupted the process of the big ju judge and robbed him of the legitimate constitutional process.
They were trying to stop the prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.
Mangion’s federal charges include murder charges for using a firearm, potentially punishable by death.
He also faces charges that reflect the criminal charges brought after Mangion’s arrest, but he is charged with stalking and gun charges.
Mangion, an Ivy League alumnus of Maryland’s prominent real estate family, faces separate federal and state murder charges after authorities said the executive arrived at United Healthcare’s annual Investors Conference after authorities fired 50-year-old Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4th.
The state’s murder charges ow the greatest life punishment in prison.
Surveillance video showed a masked gunman who shot Thompson from behind.
Police say the words “delay,” “denial,” and “retirement” were scribbled with ammunition, mimicking commonly used phrases to explain how insurance companies avoid claims.
The five-day search murder that led to Mangion’s arrest and subsequent search rattles the business community, with some health insurance companies removing photos of executives from their websites and switching to online shareholder meetings.
At the same time, some health insurance critics gathered around Mangion to replace their coverage refusal and frustration over the large medical costs.
Mangion was arrested on December 9th in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 370 kilometres west of New York City, and was whisked into Manhattan by plane and helicopter.
Police said Mangion matched other items, including a 9mm handgun that matches those used in the shooting, as well as a note that he said he expressed hostility towards the health insurance industry and wealthy executives.
