Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty Friday to federal murder and stalking charges. Prosecutors seek the death penalty in his case. They allege he intentionally killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year.
Appearing in Manhattan federal court, Luigi Mangione wore prison garb. He stood before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett and entered his plea. Mangione answered briefly before entering the plea.
If convicted on the federal charges, Mangione could face death. Attorneys for Mangione did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A federal grand jury indicted Mangione last week. Charges include murder through use of a firearm and a firearms offense. He is accused of using a silencer.
Prosecutors filed formal notice Thursday stating intent to seek capital punishment. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed prosecutors to seek the maximum punishment. Bondi stated Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson was a "premeditated, cold-blooded assassination." She said she directed prosecutors to seek death "as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again."
Mangione's lawyers have described Bondi's April 1 announcement as "unapologetically political." They argue it breached government protocols. Judge Garnett gave the defense until June 27 to file arguments against the death penalty pursuit.
Authorities accuse Mangione of shooting Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Shell casings found bore the words "deny," "depose," and "delay." These words echo tactics some say health insurers use to avoid paying claims. Investigators believe writings found with Mangione showed his "hostility towards the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular."
Mangione also faces state charges in New York and Pennsylvania. Charges include first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism. He previously pleaded not guilty to the state murder and terrorism charges in New York.
Some Americans support Mangione. They say he drew attention to healthcare costs and insurer power. Supporters wearing "Free Luigi" shirts gathered outside the courthouse Friday. A counterprotester displayed a sculpture of Mangione in an electric chair.
Prosecutors cite Mangione's alleged desire to "provoke broad-based resistance" to the healthcare industry through violence. They argue he presents a "future danger" to the industry. They wrote Mangione "presents a future danger because he expressed an intent to target an entire industry, and rally political and social opposition to that industry, by engaging in an act of lethal violence."
