Luigi Mangione Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Washington, D.C.: Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, pleaded not guilty to murder and terrorism charges in a New York court on Monday. This marked Mangione’s first formal response to the allegations brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

The 26-year-old faces 11 charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and multiple charges related to weapons and forgery. During the hearing, Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, raised concerns over the fairness of the trial, particularly criticizing Mayor Eric Adams’ prominent role in Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, accompanied by heavily armed law enforcement. “He’s being treated like a human spectacle amidst political tensions,” Agnifilo said.

Judge Gregory Carro assured the defense of a fair trial, emphasizing the careful selection of jurors to ensure impartiality. The court scheduled Mangione’s next appearance for February 21.

The charges stem from an incident on December 7, when Thompson was fatally shot outside a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Mangione was arrested on December 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Following his arrest, he attended an extradition hearing at the Blair County Courthouse on December 11, where New York prosecutors formally charged him.

Court documents revealed that Mangione was in possession of a 3D-printed pistol and a silencer at the time of his arrest. Detective Yousef Demes of the Midtown North Detective Squad presented evidence linking Mangione to surveillance footage of the shooting. The video allegedly shows Mangione carrying out the fatal act.

In addition to murder charges, Mangione faces counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, possession of a forged document, and third-degree criminal mischief. Prosecutors argue that the weapon used and the circumstances surrounding the case point to premeditation.

As the case unfolds, both sides prepare for what is expected to be a high-profile trial. Judge Carro’s assurances aim to mitigate concerns over undue influence, ensuring that justice is carried out in an impartial manner.

Mangione remains in custody as the legal proceedings move forward, with intense scrutiny from both the media and public.