Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Maryland man charged with the brutal murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, pleaded “not guilty” to a series of federal charges on Friday, setting the stage for a high-profile death penalty case that has captivated the nation.
Mangione faces charges including murder through the use of a firearm, two counts of stalking, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The federal murder charge alone could lead to the death penalty if he is convicted.
Appearing before Judge Margaret Garnett, Mangione and his attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, formally entered the plea and requested that the federal proceedings take precedence over the concurrent state charges. Agnifilo also indicated that she would be contesting any push for the death penalty, although prosecutors have made their intentions clear.
A Premeditated Political Killing
Authorities allege that Mangione meticulously planned and carried out the assassination of Thompson in December 2024 on a New York City street, with chilling precision. Surveillance footage captured the killing, and evidence collected at the scene paints a disturbing picture.
Bullet casings left behind were engraved with the words “DENY,” “DEPOSE,” and “DELAY” — a direct reference to the controversial practices of insurance companies regarding claims management. A handwritten letter discovered on Mangione railed against “parasitic” insurance corporations, accusing them of profiting off human suffering.
In an official statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi called the killing “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”
“After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case,” Bondi said. “We are carrying out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.”
A Leftist Folk Hero?
Despite the heinous nature of the crime, segments of the political left have attempted to turn Mangione into a folk hero, lionizing his rage against the healthcare industry. Earlier this month, activists in California submitted a ballot initiative dubbed the “Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act,” which would severely restrict insurance companies’ ability to deny or delay physician-recommended treatments.
Observers have noted the disturbing trend of politicizing Mangione’s violent actions into a platform for healthcare reform — a move critics say dishonors the memory of Thompson, a father of two.
What’s Next?
In addition to the federal case, Mangione faces 11 state charges, including murder. His next federal court appearance is scheduled for December 5, 2025, with a trial expected sometime in 2026.
The stakes could not be higher. If convicted, Mangione could become one of the first Americans to face federal execution under the renewed death penalty policies of the Trump administration.
The case continues to expose deep societal tensions surrounding healthcare, crime, and political radicalism — and it’s only just beginning.