Luigi Mangione has pleaded not responsible to all federal prices introduced over the deadly capturing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York final yr.
The 26 yr outdated, who was arrested in December and accused of capturing Mr Thompson outdoors a Manhattan lodge, faces the fees of homicide and stalking.
His not responsible plea means he’ll now face trial and prosecutors are looking for the loss of life penalty if he’s convicted.
Mr Mangione arrived on the Decrease Manhattan courtroom on Friday sporting a jail outfit and together with his fingers in cuffs. He acknowledged he had learn the indictment in opposition to him earlier than getting into his plea, telling the decide: “not responsible”.
Earlier on Friday, federal prosecutors formally filed to hunt the loss of life penalty on this case.
They argued that he carried out Mr Thompson’s homicide “to amplify an ideological message” and spark resistance to the medical insurance trade.
US Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi, who directed prosecutors to hunt capital punishment, stated in April that Mr Thompson’s loss of life was “an act of political violence”.
Mr Mangione’s legal professionals beforehand referred to as dialogue of executing him “barbaric”.
Throughout the 35-minute listening to on Friday, Decide Margaret Garnett tried to co-ordinate a pre-trial schedule, whereas Mr Mangione’s legal professionals continued to boost objections to his indictments on each federal and state prices in New York.
The decide agreed Mr Mangione’s legal professionals would want months to undergo prosecutors’ “three terabytes” of proof, together with police footage, knowledge from social media, monetary and telephone firms and different proof from state prosecutors.
It means Mr Mangione’s federal trial willnot happen earlier than 2026 – with the decide setting his subsequent federal listening to for five December, when a “agency trial date” shall be set.
Throughout the listening to, Mr Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, pushed for her consumer to be tried in federal courtroom – the place the the loss of life penalty is at stake – earlier than state courtroom, arguing the reverse would elevate “constitutional points”.
She additionally accused state prosecutors of “eavesdropping” on Mr Mangione’s recorded calls along with her from jail. Decide Garnett requested prosecutors to put in writing a letter inside seven days explaining how Mr Mangione can be ensured entry to a separate telephone line to make privileged calls together with his authorized crew.
The decide additionally requested Ms Friedman Agnifilo to submit a brand new movement by 27 June requesting the federal government be prevented from looking for the loss of life penalty, since she submitted her first movement earlier than prosecutors formally filed discover that they might achieve this.
Decide Garnett additionally requested prosecutors to remind Bondi and authorities officers of guidelines surrounding public statements and their affect on a good trial and jury choice.
Mr Mangione can also be going through state prices in each Pennsylvania, the place he was arrested, and New York. At an arraignment in December, he pleaded not responsible to state homicide and terrorism prices in New York.
Mr Thompson was shot useless in Manhattan early on 4 December final yr.
The suspect escaped the scene earlier than exiting the town. 5 days later, Mr Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania.
Public response to Mr Thompson’s killing has make clear deep frustrations with privatised healthcare. Some have celebrated Mr Mangione has a folks hero, and a fund arrange for his authorized defence garnered practically $1m (£750,000) in donations.
Supporters gathered outdoors the courthouse on Friday too.
Shell casings with the phrases “deny”, “defend” and “depose” have been discovered on the crime scene. Critics say these phrases are related to healthcare firms avoiding payouts and growing their income.
