NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, pleaded not guilty on Monday to state murder and terror charges in a New York City court.
The Manhattan district attorney formally charged Mangione last week with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism.
His initial appearance in the New York State Supreme Court was preempted by federal prosecutors bringing their own charges over the shooting.
The federal charges could carry the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole. Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state charges expected to go to trial first.
CEO killing ‘intended to evoke terror’: DA Alvin Bragg
Mangione is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he was walking to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan on Dec 4.
He was arrested in Pennsylvania after a five-day search and was extradited to New York City on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg announced Mangione is now being indicted on one count of first-degree murder in the furtherance of terrorism, arguing the killing “was intended to evoke terror.”
Mangione’s defense questions fed charges
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, an attorney for Mangione, has accused federal and state prosecutors of advancing conflicting legal theories. In federal court last week, she called their approach “very confusing” and “highly unusual.”
“He is being treated like a human pingpong ball between warring jurisdictions here,” she said Monday.
State trial court Judge Gregory Carro responded that he has little control over what happens outside the courtroom, but said he can guarantee that Mangione will receive a fair trial.
Federal investigators argue Mangione meticulously planned the murder, alleging the 26-year-old expressed hostility toward the insurance industry and wealthy executives.
Prosecutors have said both cases will be worked on simultaneously, with the state charges expected to go to trial first.
Mangione is set to return to court next month for the federal charges, which could carry the death penalty.
Mangione gains support outside court
Protestors stood outside the New York State Supreme Court in lower Manhattan, with two chants particularly prominent.
“Free Luigi” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, CEOs have gotta go” were chanted regularly, while others arrived as early as 4:30 a.m. ET to get a seat in the courtroom amid 10-degree weather.
Mangione supporters, mostly women, asked NewsNation if the public was going to get a glimpse at Mangione, who has become a cult figure to some.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.