Luigi Mangione, 26, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges tied to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, intensifying a high-profile crime case that has stirred national debate around healthcare companies and political violence.

 

Appearing at a Lower Manhattan courthouse on Friday, Mangione entered his plea while wearing a prison uniform and handcuffs, formally denying charges of murder and stalking. Federal prosecutors, who have officially filed for the death penalty, claim that Mangione killed Thompson to "amplify an ideological message" aimed at resisting the private healthcare industry.

 

The case dates back to 4 December 2024, when Thompson was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel. Shell casings found at the scene bore the words "deny", "defend", and "depose" — terms critics associate with healthcare companies' alleged tactics of denying claims to maximise profits.

 

Mangione fled the scene and was arrested five days later at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania. Since his arrest, he has faced charges in both federal and state courts across New York and Pennsylvania.

 

At Friday’s hearing, Judge Margaret Garnett coordinated a pre-trial schedule while addressing concerns raised by Mangione’s legal team. His lawyers criticised the government’s pursuit of the death penalty, labelling it “barbaric,” and accused state prosecutors of eavesdropping on privileged jail calls between Mangione and his attorneys — raising potential constitutional issues.

 

Given the scale of the evidence — reportedly three terabytes of footage, phone records, and financial data — the federal trial is not expected to commence before 2026. Judge Garnett has set the next federal appearance for 5 December 2025, when a firm trial date will be decided.

 

Meanwhile, Mangione’s supporters continue to rally outside the courthouse, portraying him as a symbol of frustration against the privatised healthcare system. A legal defence fund set up for him has amassed nearly $1 million in donations.

 

The tragic killing of Thompson and its fallout underscore wider societal tensions. As healthcare reform remains a deeply divisive issue in the US, the case against Mangione is seen not just as a trial for a violent crime, but also as a flashpoint in the debate over healthcare companies and their role in American life.

 

For any enquiries or information, contact info@thelawreporters.com or call us on +971 52 644 3004. Follow The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels