Luigi Mangione, facing federal murder charges for the December shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court on Friday. Mangione, appearing in a prison jumpsuit and shackled, is charged with murder, two counts of stalking, and a firearms offense. The case has drawn significant media attention due to its high-profile victim and the nature of the alleged crime.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty in this case. In response, Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, requested that the federal trial be prioritized over his state cases in New York and Pennsylvania. Authorities allege that Mangione's actions were a premeditated assassination, described by the DOJ as an act of political violence. Thompson was shot in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2023, leading to a five-day manhunt that concluded with Mangione's arrest in Pennsylvania, where he reportedly possessed a firearm believed to be the murder weapon, fake identification, and a handwritten claim of responsibility.
The investigation revealed that three 9mm shell casings found at the crime scene were inscribed with the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose,” which appear to reference a book critical of the insurance industry. Public reaction has been polarized, with some supporters gathering outside the courthouse, expressing solidarity with Mangione and raising over $950,000 for his legal defense. Former Army soldier Chelsea Manning has also shown support at hearings.
The case has prompted widespread condemnation from politicians, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who remarked on the inappropriateness of resolving policy differences through violence. Judge Margaret Garnett has scheduled the next federal hearing for December 5, with a trial expected to begin in 2026.