NEW YORK — The individual charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO pleaded not guilty to state murder and terrorism charges on Monday, while his legal team expressed concerns that recent comments from the city’s mayor could hinder jury impartiality.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was brought into a Manhattan courtroom in handcuffs, where he leaned over the microphone to enter his plea. Last week, the Manhattan district attorney’s office filed several murder charges against him, including allegations that the crime was committed as an act of terrorism.
Mangione’s state court hearing came after federal authorities launched their own charges related to the shooting, which could lead to the death penalty at the federal level. However, should the state charges proceed first, the maximum penalty would be life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
The prosecution indicated that both state and federal cases would run concurrently, with the state trial likely occurring before the federal proceedings. During a court session, one of Mangione’s lawyers raised concerns that public comments from officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, could portray Mangione unfairly and poison the potential jury pool.
“I’m highly concerned about my client’s ability to receive a fair trial,” attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo declared.
Last Thursday, Adams, flanked by heavily armed law enforcement personnel, welcomed Mangione upon his extradition from Pennsylvania at a Manhattan heliport. Agnifilo criticized the police for orchestrating a sensational display during Mangione’s arrival, describing it as “the biggest stage perp walk” she had ever witnessed and unnecessary.
In response, a spokesperson for Adams affirmed their commitment to supporting law enforcement and sending a clear message that violence has no place in the city. They highlighted the brutal nature of the assassination of Brian Thompson, who was described as a devoted father and a victim whose death created widespread fear in New York City, further igniting concerns previously discussed in online forums.
Agnifilo also expressed disappointment over the conflicting legal strategies between federal and state prosecutors, which she deemed confusing and unusual, likening Mangione’s situation to being bounced between two adversarial legal systems.
Judge Gregory Carro, in charge of the state court proceedings, acknowledged that he couldn’t control outside influences but assured that Mangione would receive a fair trial.
Law enforcement officials claim that Mangione shot Thompson as he made his way to an investor conference in Manhattan on the morning of December 4. Following a days-long manhunt, Mangione was apprehended in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, reportedly carrying the weapon used in the murder and a fake identification. Additionally, he had a notebook that illustrated his negative sentiments toward the health insurance sector and affluence in general, according to federal prosecutors.
At a previous press conference, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that the use of terrorism-related charges was indicative of the grave nature of a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder meant to incite shock, attention, and intimidation.” He emphasized that the killing had been engineered to instill fear within the community.
Currently, Mangione is held in a federal jail in Brooklyn alongside other notable detainees, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried. In the courtroom on Monday, he displayed moments of levity, engaging with his lawyers and stretching his arms after being freed from shackles.
Outside the courthouse, a small group of supporters rallied, chanting, “Free Luigi,” amid a trumpet’s sounds. One of the demonstrators, Natalie Monarrez, explained her reasons for joining the rally, noting personal losses tied to denied insurance claims. “While the incident was extreme, it has forced a vital conversation regarding this pressing issue—people have reached their limit,” she asserted.
Hailing from a well-off family in Maryland and an Ivy League graduate, Mangione had reportedly distanced himself from his relatives and friends in recent months, actively discussing his debilitating back pain in online circles. Notably, he was never a client of UnitedHealthcare.
Thompson, who was married with two teenage children, had a 20-year tenure at UnitedHealth Group, rising to the position of CEO for its insurance division in 2021. His murder has sparked public outrage aimed at U.S. health insurers, with many interpreting Mangione’s actions as a symbol of broader frustrations regarding insurance denials and exorbitant medical expenses. The corporate sector has also felt the ripples from this incident, with executives reporting an increase in threats directed at them.
