Suspect in UnitedHealth executive’s killing pleads not guilty to murder, terrorism charges

Luigi Mangione, the person accused of fatally gunning down UnitedHealth Group chief government Brian Thompson on a Manhattan avenue, pleaded not responsible on Monday to New York state homicide costs that model him a terrorist.

Mangione, 26, was escorted right into a Thirteenth-floor courtoom within the New York state prison courthouse in decrease Manhattan with a court docket officer on every arm, and a procession of a half dozen officers following him. He was in handcuffs and shackles, and wore a burgundy sweater over a white collared shirt.

Mangione leaned right into a microphone and mentioned “not responsible” when requested how he pleaded to the 11-count indictment, which incorporates three homicide costs, together with homicide as an act of terrorism.

If convicted, he faces a most sentence of life in jail with out the opportunity of parole. Monday’s arraignment was the second court docket look in New York for Mangione, 26, since he was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, 5 days after the brazen, pre-dawn Dec. 4 killing of Thompson outdoors a resort in midtown Manhattan the place his firm was gathering for an investor convention. Mangione additionally faces a four-count federal prison criticism charging him with stalking and killing Thompson. He has not but been requested to enter a plea to these costs. U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Katharine Parker ordered Mangione detained at a Dec. 19 presentment on these costs.

Greater than two dozen members of the general public sat within the viewers of the courtroom the place Mangione was offered. A small group of protesters had gathered outdoors the decrease Manhattan courthouse in sub-freezing temperatures expressing assist for Mangione and anger at healthcare corporations.

One particular person held an indication saying “DENY, DEFEND, DEPOSE,” the phrases police say had been discovered etched on shell casings on the crime scene. The phrases echo ways some accuse insurers of utilizing to keep away from paying out claims. Whereas the killing of Thompson has been condemned by public officers, Mangione has been feted as a folks hero by some Individuals who decry the steep prices of healthcare and the ability held by insurance coverage corporations to disclaim paying for some medical therapies.

A pocket book entry

The federal costs would make him eligible for the dying penalty, ought to the U.S. Lawyer’s workplace in Manhattan determine to pursue it.

The separate federal and state circumstances will proceed in parallel. The state case is at the moment anticipated to go to trial first, federal prosecutors mentioned.

Mangione’s lead lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, mentioned on the federal court docket listening to that the 2 units of costs gave the impression to be based mostly on conflicting theories. The state costs accuse Mangione of aspiring to “intimidate or coerce a civilian inhabitants” and affect coverage, whereas the federal costs accuse him of stalking and killing a person.

Friedman Agnifilo mentioned the 2 circumstances appeared fully totally different, and she or he requested prosecutors to make clear whether or not each would proceed. Dominic Gentile, a federal prosecutor, mentioned Thursday’s preliminary look was not the suitable time to handle these authorized arguments.

In line with the federal prison criticism, the police who arrested Mangione discovered a pocket book that contained a number of handwritten pages that “categorical hostility in the direction of the medical insurance business and rich executives particularly.”

A pocket book entry dated Oct. 22 allegedly described an intent to “wack” the chief government of an insurance coverage firm at its investor convention.

CORRECTION: This text has been up to date to discuss with Brian Thompson as a UnitedHealth government, not chief government.