Mangione enters plea of 'not guilty' as federal trial moves forward
The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year pleaded not guilty during a Friday arraignment in federal court.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was charged with murder, in addition to a firearms offense and two counts of stalking. He entered not guilty pleas on all counts, meaning the case is expected to go to trial.
On Thursday before the arraignment, the Department of Justice officially filed to seek the death penalty, should the trial result in a conviction. Given the potential for capital punishment, Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said she will be asking the court to proceed with the federal case first.
Mangione also faces a first-degree murder charge in New York, where Thompson was shot and killed outside a hotel last December. That case was expected to be tried first, as is typical when a defendant faces overlapping state and federal indictments.
There are also charges pending against Mangione for possessing fake IDs and a handgun, all of which were allegedly found on him when he was arrested at a McDonald’s days after Thompson’s murder. Agnifilo is seeking to have the Pennsylvania charges dismissed. Additionally, she is challenging the legitimacy of the evidence allegedly taken from Mangione, hoping a potentially unlawful search will result in its suppression.
Supporters peacefully assembled
Outside the federal courtroom on Friday, CNN reported that supporters gathered, many wearing green—a reference to “Luigi” from Nintendo video games. In the months since his arrest, Mangione’s association with the iconic character has become a popular meme online.
CNN said supporters were there, in part, to protest federal prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
The entire hearing lasted roughly 30 minutes. Mangione’s next date in federal court is scheduled for Dec. 5 of this year, with the trial set to begin in 2026.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.