Luigi
Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal charges in Manhattan for the murder of
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He faces the death penalty.
Manhattan,
New York – Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO
Brian Thompson, pleaded not guilty to federal murder and stalking charges
during a court appearance on Friday. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death
penalty, alleging that Mangione intentionally targeted and killed the
healthcare executive.
Appearing
at the Manhattan federal courthouse, the 26-year-old Mangione had a markedly
different look, sporting shorter hair and wearing mustard-colored prison attire
layered over a thermal white shirt. Calm and mostly silent, he responded with
brief, one-word answers before formally entering his not guilty plea before
Judge Margaret Garnett.
If
convicted, Mangione could face the ultimate punishment: death. His defense
team, led by attorney Karen Agnifilo, has not issued a public statement
following the arraignment.
During
the hearing, Agnifilo raised serious concerns regarding Mangione’s right to
confidential legal communication. She informed the court that state prosecutors
had inadvertently eavesdropped on a privileged phone call between her and
Mangione.
"We
were just informed by state court prosecutors that they were eavesdropping on
his attorney calls," Agnifilo told the judge. "They said it was
inadvertent that they listened to a call between Mangione and me. I am the lead
attorney."
Judge
Garnett pressed federal prosecutors for clarification. They claimed this was
the first they had heard of such an incident. The judge ordered an update by
next month, stressing the need for Mangione to have unmonitored and secure
communications with his attorneys.
The court
scheduled Mangione’s next hearing for December 5, when a trial date will likely
be determined. His defense team has requested that the federal trial proceed
first, given the severity of the charges and the possibility of capital
punishment.
Mangione
was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on four charges: two counts of
stalking, one count of murder using a firearm, and a separate firearms offense
related to the alleged use of a silencer during the killing.
This
high-profile case, centered in the heart of Manhattan, continues to draw
national attention as the legal battle intensifies over both the charges and
the handling of Mangione’s rights behind bars.