Luigi Mangione, CEO killing suspect, pleads not guilty in Manhattan court
Monday 23 December 2024 11:34 EST
Luigi Mangione, the man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has pleaded not guilty to state terror and murder charges in a Manhattan courtroom.
Mangione entered his plea during a Monday morning arraignment hearing. He faces 11 counts in New York, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, second-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and multiple weapons offenses. The 26-year-old faces up to life in prison without parole if convicted.
In court, Mangione’s attorney Karen Agnifilo told Judge Gregory Carro she was concerned about getting her client a fair trial, CNN reports. She specifically cited New York City mayor Eric Adams’s presence among the several heavily armed officials who escorted Mangione as he was flown in from Pennsylvania, where he was arrested.
“They are literally treating him like he is some sort of political fodder, like some sort of spectacle,” Agnifilo said. “He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest stage perp walk I’ve ever seen in my career, it was absolutely unnecessary. He’s been cooperative with law enforcement...There was no reason for the NYPD and everybody to have these big assault rifles.”
“It was perfectly choreographed, and what was the New York City Mayor doing at this press conference, your honor? That just made it utterly political,” she continued.
Carro told Agnifilo, “We will carefully select a jury.” Mangione’s next court date is set for February 21.