Luigi Mangione pleads not responsible as DOJ seeks loss of life penalty in NYC federal homicide trial
Luigi Mangione pleaded not responsible to the homicide of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York Metropolis at his arraignment Friday in Manhattan federal court docket.
Federal prosecutors indicted Mangione final week on two counts of stalking, a firearm offense and homicide via the usage of a firearm, a cost eligible for the loss of life penalty if he’s convicted.
Pam Bondi, DOJ in search of loss of life penalty towards Mangione
Mangione’s arraignment got here a day after the U.S. Division of Justice formally advised the court docket it intends to hunt the loss of life penalty within the case.
Federal prosecutors say Mangione poses a future hazard, alleging within the newest court docket submitting that he supposed to “goal a complete business and rally opposition to that business by participating in deadly violence.”
Additionally they say he took steps to dodge regulation enforcement, flee New York Metropolis after the homicide and cross state strains whereas armed with a privately manufactured gun and silencer.
U.S. Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi beforehand mentioned prosecutors would search the loss of life penalty, marking the primary time since President Trump vowed to renew federal executions when he took workplace in January.
Mangione’s attorneys have filed motions asking for the loss of life penalty choice to be eliminated, saying the federal government “intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt.”
Civil and legal legal professional Donte Mills defined the challenges in a loss of life penalty case.
“You have got a further burden, it’s a must to show intent. Intent that he supposed to rile up the group or make individuals act as he did, make individuals commit murders towards individuals within the healthcare business. It’s important to show that he supposed this to be greater than the killing of 1 particular person, and it is actually onerous to show what was in somebody’s thoughts,” Mills mentioned.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed in NYC
The 26-year-old is accused of ambushing Thompson, a husband and father of two, exterior a midtown lodge on Dec. 4, 2024. Investigators mentioned Thompson was on his technique to an buyers convention when he was shot within the again on the sidewalk.
The manhunt for his killer led police via Central Park to a hostel on the Higher West Facet and finally to a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Mangione has pleaded not responsible to state homicide and terrorism fees in New York, in addition to forgery and weapons fees in Pennsylvania.
