Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state murder and terrorism charges in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the New York Times reported.
Mangione appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday, Dec. 23, to plead to 11 charges against him, including first-degree murder as an act of terrorism. He is also charged with two counts of second-degree murder and several weapons charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
During the hearing, Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, expressed concerns about her client’s treatment and right to a fair trial. “His rights are being violated,” she said. “He’s a young man, but he’s being treated like a human ping-pong ball.”
Mr. Agnifilo took particular issue with Mr. Mangione’s misconduct after he was extradited from Pennsylvania to New York last week, where Mayor Eric Adams was also present. Agnifilo called the scene “unnecessary” and “totally political,” especially since Adams himself is facing federal charges.
“What was the mayor of New York doing at this press conference,” she asked, adding that Adams “should know more about the presumption of innocence than anyone.”
Several spectators gathered outside the courtroom, some of whom supported Mangione and protested America’s health care system, according to reports. One sign read, “American health care stole my livelihood.” “Killing for profit is terrorism,” one said. The other read, “Reject, Defend, Abandon,” an apparent allusion to the words written on the casing of the bullet that killed Thompson.
In addition to the state case against Mangione, he also faces federal murder and stalking charges. He appeared in Manhattan federal court last week and pleaded not guilty to those charges. Mangione’s state lawsuit is expected to be heard before the federal case.
