By Lola Fadulu
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old charged with the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, entered a not guilty plea on Monday during his arraignment in New York state Supreme Court.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has accused Mangione of first-degree murder, a terrorism-related crime, along with two forms of second-degree murder and weapon-related charges. He could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if convicted on these charges.
Additionally, Mangione faces federal charges that could lead to the death penalty: The Southern District of New York has charged him with committing murder using a firearm, along with two counts of stalking and one firearms-related charge. He pleaded not guilty to these charges the previous week.
According to state prosecutors in court documents, Mangione’s actions were aimed at promoting terrorism and were “designed to intimidate or coerce a civilian population” and to “influence the actions of a governmental unit through murder.” Representing him in court on Monday, his attorney contended that the case had been politicized and raised concerns about his ability to receive a fair trial.
Edward Y. Kim, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District, stated that the state case is likely to proceed to trial before the federal one, with state prosecutors coordinating efforts with federal authorities.
For his arraignment on Monday, Mangione appeared in a maroon sweater and light trousers, with his wrists and ankles bound. During the proceedings, his lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, expressed her apprehension regarding her client’s right to a fair trial. “His rights are being infringed upon,” she stated.
“He’s a young individual, and he is being shuffled like a human pingpong ball between two conflicting jurisdictions,” she remarked, referencing the federal and state cases and their opposing viewpoints.
She also criticized Mangione’s perp walk following his extradition to New York last week, calling it “completely unnecessary” and “entirely political.”
“What was the mayor of New York City doing at this press event?” she questioned, adding that Adams, who is under investigation for bribery and fraud, “should be well aware of the principle of presumption of innocence.”
Friedman Agnifilo highlighted various comments made by Adams regarding the case, including his intention to confront Mangione and say “you executed this terroristic act in my city.” She pointed out that he did not use the word “alleged,” and that his remarks could influence “potential jurors in the future.”
Judge Gregory Carro replied that he had limited control over external courtroom events but assured that Mangione would receive a fair trial. “We will carefully select the jury,” Carro affirmed.
Prosecutor Joel J. Seidemann questioned the decision to repeat Adams’ statements in court.
“I fail to see how that benefits the case,” he remarked. “We will uphold our ethical responsibilities concerning this defendant’s guilt in this courtroom, and this courtroom alone.”
Mangione’s next state court appearance is set for Feb. 21.
The murder of CEO Brian Thompson has reignited discussions about the American healthcare system. Numerous individuals voiced their frustrations on social media regarding interactions with insurance firms and their claim denial practices. Mangione has become, for some, a symbol of resistance.
Spectators braved 11-degree weather starting at 6 a.m. to gain entry into the courtroom. A small crowd of protesters was visible outside prior to the hearing, which had expanded slightly by the conclusion. Some demonstrators chanted, “Free Luigi!”
Nicholas Zamudio, 33, held a sign proclaiming: “United States Healthcare Stole My Livelihood. Prosecute Malicious Profiteers.” Residents of midtown Manhattan, he characterized his experiences with the healthcare system as “atrocious” and stated that the day Thompson was killed was “a good day.”
Zamudio reported undergoing spinal fusion surgery for back issues and was unable to afford the subsequent injections and other necessary treatments. He referenced how Mangione had documented his own spinal fusion experiences and struggles with back pain on Reddit.
“When he talks about issues like not being able to lie down or get sufficient sleep, that resonates with me,” Zamudio explained, mentioning he sometimes only gets two to three hours of sleep a night. “You start to lose your sanity when that happens.”
On Dec. 4, Thompson was headed to a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan for an investor meeting when a masked gunman opened fire from behind him. He was struck once in the back and once in the leg.
Authorities have indicated that Mangione was the individual who waited outside the hotel for nearly an hour that morning with a 3D-printed 9 mm handgun equipped with a suppressor and shot at Thompson.
Mangione was captured following a five-day manhunt. He was identified by a fellow diner at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, who noted that he resembled the individual in the NYPD’s released photographs. An employee overheard this conversation and notified the authorities.
He was in possession of a handgun, a suppressor, additional ammunition, and a fraudulent ID card, along with a 262-word handwritten manifesto that appeared to take responsibility for the act. The manifesto suggested that he perceived the murder as a direct confrontation with the healthcare industry’s “corruption” and “power struggles.”
Additionally, Mangione faces five charges in Pennsylvania, including unlicensed gun possession, forgery, providing false identification to authorities, and having “instruments of crime,” as detailed in a criminal complaint.
