Luigi Mangione, 26, said “Not guilty” on Dec. 23 to 11 charges, including first-degree murder and terrorism, in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The hearing at Manhattan Supreme Court, led by Judge Gregory Carro, was another big step in a case that’s shocked people across the country.
Mangione spoke clearly into the courtroom microphone during his arraignment. His lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, didn’t hold back in criticizing how law enforcement handled his arrest and transfer.
“He’s being treated like a human ping-pong ball between two fighting jurisdictions,” Friedman Agnifilo said. “These federal and state prosecutors are working together at his expense. They’ve created conflicting theories in their charges and are turning him into a spectacle.”
The defense was especially critical of the dramatic way Mangione was brought to court, with helicopters and heavily armed officers. “It was the biggest staged perp walk I’ve ever seen,” she said. “It wasn’t necessary. He’s been cooperative, was already in custody for over a week, and even waived extradition.”
The judge set bail at $1, but it’s only symbolic since Mangione is already in federal custody.
He’s facing separate federal charges, including using a modified gun in the attack. His federal court date is set for Jan. 18.
Prosecutors say Mangione planned the attack because he was angry at the healthcare system. Police found shell casings at the crime scene with phrases like “Deny, defense, depose” etched on them. They also recovered a notebook filled with anti-corporate messages.
When Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania on Dec. 9, officers found a loaded gun with a silencer, fake ID, cash, and that notebook.
“This case has more evidence than most,” said prosecutor Joel Seidemann. “We have thousands of hours of video and a huge amount of proof.”
Brian Thompson’s family says their lives will never be the same. “Brian was a loving father and a dedicated leader. His death has left a hole in our lives that we can’t fill,” they said in a statement.
Mangione’s next state court date is set for Feb. 21. If found guilty, he could get life in prison without parole. The federal charges could lead to even tougher penalties, including the death penalty.
