Additional Coverage:
- Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to state charges in slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO (newsbreak.com)
Accused Health Insurance CEO Killer Pleads Not Guilty
Luigi Mangione, 26, has pleaded not guilty to murder and terrorism charges related to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione faces life in prison without parole if convicted.
Protesters Support Mangione
Dozens of protesters gathered outside court, supporting Mangione and decrying the high cost of health care. They chanted slogans like “Health care now” and “CEOs have got to go.”
Multiple Jurisdictions Bring Confusion
Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, criticized the multiple jurisdictions trying Mangione, calling it “a human pingpong ball.” She believes he is being treated unfairly and used as a “spectacle.”
Federal Charges Could Lead to Death Penalty
In addition to state charges, Mangione faces federal murder charges that could bring the death penalty. He also faces weapons charges in Pennsylvania.
Prosecutors Seek Motive
Prosecutors believe Mangione planned the killing over several months to spark debate about the insurance industry. They cited a notebook found with him that expressed hostility towards insurance executives.
Brian Thompson Remembered
Brian Thompson, 50, was the son of farmers from Iowa. He rose through the ranks at UnitedHealthcare to become its CEO in 2021. He was known for his intelligence and leadership skills.