Luigi Mangione pleaded not responsible to the homicide of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York Metropolis at his arraignment at this time in Manhattan federal courtroom.
Federal prosecutors indicted Mangione last week on two counts of stalking, a firearm offense and homicide by way of using a firearm in Thompson’s December taking pictures loss of life.
The homicide cost is eligible for the death penalty, which Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi stated prosecutors will search within the federal case.
Mangione, 26, stood together with his legal professionals as he entered the plea. He leaned ahead to a microphone as U.S. District Choose Margaret Garnett requested him if understood the indictment and the fees towards him.
Mangione stated, “sure.” When requested how he wished to plead, he stated, “not responsible” and sat down.
The pleas weren’t surprising, since Mangione additionally pleaded not responsible to state prices he is going through in New York and Pennsylvania.
Pam Bondi, DOJ in search of loss of life penalty towards Mangione
Mangione’s arraignment got here a day after the U.S. Division of Justice formally told the court it intends to seek the death penalty within the case.
Federal prosecutors say Mangione poses a future hazard, alleging within the newest courtroom submitting that he supposed to “goal a complete trade and rally opposition to that trade by participating in deadly violence.”
In addition they say he took steps to dodge legislation enforcement, flee New York Metropolis after the homicide and cross state traces whereas armed with a privately manufactured gun and silencer.
U.S. Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi previously said prosecutors would seek the death penalty, marking the primary time since President Trump vowed to renew federal executions when he took workplace in January.
Mangione’s attorneys have filed motions asking for the death penalty option to be removed, saying the federal government “intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt.”
Civil and felony legal professional Donte Mills defined the challenges in a loss of life penalty case.
“You’ve got an extra burden, it’s important to show intent. Intent that he supposed to rile up the neighborhood or make folks act as he did, make folks commit murders towards folks within the healthcare trade. You need to show that he supposed this to be greater than the killing of 1 individual, and it is actually arduous to show what was in somebody’s thoughts,” Mills stated.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed in NYC
The 26-year-old is accused of ambushing Thompson, a husband and father of two, outside a midtown hotel on Dec. 4, 2024. Investigators stated Thompson was on his way to an investors conference when he was shot within the again on the sidewalk.
The manhunt for his killer led police by way of Central Park to a hostel on the Upper West Side and finally to a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state homicide and terrorism prices in New York, in addition to forgery and weapons charges in Pennsylvania.
contributed to this report.
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