NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal stalking and murder charges related to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson during his arraignment hearing on Friday in U.S. District Court.
The Department of Justice has indicated it will seek the death penalty — a move directed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who called the killing a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination.”
During his court appearance, Mangione responded with only one-word answers before he entered his not guilty plea.
Mangione is accused of shooting Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel as the executive arrived for UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference on Dec. 4.
Mangione previously pleaded not guilty in a separate set of New York state charges related to the deadly shooting of Thompson. In Friday’s arraignment hearing, Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, told the judge that she will ask for her client’s federal trial to begin first.
Defense pushes back on death penalty for Luigi Mangione
A federal grand jury in Manhattan indicted Mangione last week on four charges: stalking, the use of interstate facilities, murder through the use of a firearm and firearms offense.
Bondi announced April 1 she was directing prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Mangione, describing Thompson’s killing as “an act of political violence.”
Mangione’s lawyers have filed a motion to drop the pursuit of the death penalty, arguing Bondi’s efforts are a “political stunt.” It’s unclear whether the judge will rule on that motion during Friday’s proceedings.
Mangione also faces state charges in Pennsylvania and New York.
Luigi Mangione supporters raise hefty defense fund
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Mangione has drawn an outpouring of support.
During previous in-person court appearances, crowds of supporters gathered inside and outside the courthouse, some arriving several hours in advance.
Mangione’s last in-person hearing drew billboard trucks surrounding the courthouse with a “Free Luigi” message, as well as dozens of supporters wearing “Free Luigi” shirts and carrying posters.
Many view the case as symbolic of broader frustration with the U.S. health care system and corporate decision-making.
“These insurance companies think they can just get away with denying, denying, denying coverages, no matter who it is. Even if you’re rich, they’ll still deny it,” said Gladys Sharpp, a home health aide in Long Island. “He did something about it, where 99% of the world just complain and the 1% — Luigi — would actually kill them, and took a bite against corruption.”
Supporters have raised about $1 million for Mangione’s legal defense, through donations ranging from a few dollars to tens of thousands.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.