Luigi Mangione Pleads Not Guilty Amid DOJ Seeking Death Penalty
By Afouda Bamidele on April 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM EDT
Luigi Mangione is standing his ground and insisting on a not-guilty plea!
The alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer has reiterated his innocence on the charges leveled against him by the federal government in a New York City court hearing.
Luigi Mangione was arrested last year following an incident in which he allegedly shot and killed Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The tragic event occurred in the early hours of the morning in New York City.
Luigi Mangione Was Given Until May 27 To Prepare His Defense
Mangione recently entered a not-guilty plea in a New York City federal court to a series of serious charges, including murder through the use of a firearm.
The arraignment, held on a Friday, saw him face one count of murder, two counts of stalking, and an additional firearms offense related to the use of a silencer. The judge mandated that all discovery materials be provided to the defense within 30 days, setting a deadline of May 27.
Mangione's legal troubles extend beyond federal charges; he is also confronting state murder charges connected to the alleged killing of Thompson, to which he pleaded not guilty last December.
Notably, entries in Mangione's alleged diary suggest that he had been planning the murder for months, with one entry indicating that "insurance is the target" as it "checks all the boxes."
TMZ shared that the prosecution is pursuing the death penalty against Mangione, a move that his defense team is actively contesting.
Public reactions to the case have been mixed, with figures like former President Donald Trump condemning Mangione and his supporters. Journalist Taylor Lorenz has adopted a more ambivalent stance on the matter.
POTUS Directed That The Death Penalty Should Be Allocated To Deserving Crimes
The president condemned Mangione's supporters for their opposition to the death penalty, aligning with his administration's initial step toward it in January.
As shared by The Blast, in a significant move, Trump directed the attorney general to seek the death penalty for all crimes deemed severe enough to warrant it.
In an executive order, he emphasized that the restoration of capital punishment was crucial for ensuring justice and enhancing public safety. This order reversed former President Biden's moratorium on federal executions and criticized Biden for commuting 37 death row sentences.
Additionally, it mandated that states have access to lethal injection drugs and called for the overturning of Supreme Court rulings that limited the application of capital punishment.
The order also imposed strict imprisonment conditions for individuals convicted of violent crimes. It also enforced the prosecution of violent crimes and bolstered law enforcement coordination.
Mangione Gained A Massive Online Movement In Favor Of His Story
Mangione has garnered significant support and developed a dedicated following since his arrest, which many attribute to public frustration with the health insurance industry and issues surrounding claim denials.
This situation has reignited discussions about the need for healthcare reform. In response to the growing support, Mangione's defense team launched a website aimed at providing information and addressing inquiries about his case.
In February, he expressed his gratitude to supporters through a statement on the site, saying he felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of letters and stories from people around the country and beyond.
He noted that this support cut across political, racial, and class lines. Although he acknowledged the difficulty in replying to most letters, he assured supporters that he read each one and looked forward to continued communication.
Inside Mangione's Lawyers Move To Avert The Death Penalty
The Blast reported earlier in the month that lawyers representing Mangione filed a motion in the federal District Court located in Lower Manhattan.
They requested that the judge block federal prosecutors from pursuing the death penalty for their client. The defense team criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision, describing it as "political, arbitrary, capricious," and in violation of established death penalty protocols.
They expressed concern that this action has significantly biased the legal process against Mangione. The lawyers emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating in their filing that the U.S. government aims to execute Mr. Mangione as part of a political stunt.
Luigi Mangione Tipped For Death Penalty By US Attorney General Pam Bondi
On April 1, Attorney General Bondi announced her intention to seek the death penalty for Mangione, pending a conviction for his alleged role in the murder of Thompson.
The UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer was described as an innocent man and the father of two. Bondi described Thompson's killing as a premeditated assassination that left the nation in shock.
She emphasized that her decision was made after careful consideration and aligns with Trump's agenda to combat violent crime and enhance public safety.
The authorities allege that Mangione fatally shot Thompson in Manhattan and subsequently fled the scene. Both state and federal cases against Mangione will be pursued concurrently.
Interesting times are surely ahead for Luigi Mangione and his case!
