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Luigi Mangione entered a not guilty plea on Friday in response to federal charges of murder and stalking, attracting a diverse crowd of supporters and curious onlookers at the federal courthouse in New York City.
Starting from around 5 p.m. the night before, a queue of people formed, eager to witness the 26-year-old who has been accused of an ambush against UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a devoted husband and father, outside a midtown hotel on December 4, 2024.
According to investigators, Thompson was targeted and shot in the back while walking on the sidewalk as he headed to an investors’ conference.
Mangione’s arrest garnered attention when he was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This event, coupled with subsequent court appearances, has sparked a mixture of support and condemnation for the alleged assailant, who faces charges at both state and federal levels.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty against Mangione. In April, she described Thompson’s killing as a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”
Among the supporters was Chelsea Manning, a former Army intelligence analyst and whistleblower, who stood near the front of the line on Friday. Manning commented on the rapid pace of this case, stating, “This case is being speed run in an unprecedented manner…with two cases running simultaneously, and one of them is a death penalty case. We don’t do that in our justice system.” When asked about her stance on Mangione, she emphasized her support for a fair judicial process.
Outside, a truck with rotating digital displays featured images of Mangione and messages portraying the gravity of the situation, declaring: “LUIGI is caught in a high-stakes GAME of tug-of-war, except the TROPHY is a young man’s LIFE.”
A young woman, dressed in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, shared her view that the actions of Thompson and UnitedHealthcare constitute “legal murder.” She claimed that denying essential healthcare, particularly for vulnerable patients like children with cancer, amounts to a slow form of killing. She further voiced her disapproval of Bondi’s comments about seeking capital punishment for Mangione, claiming such measures amounted to state-sanctioned murder.
During the arraignment, Judge Margaret Garnett reminded prosecutors to consider the implications of public remarks, indicating that they could impact the fairness of the trial.
Another supporter arrived early to secure her spot in line, expressing her belief that Mangione’s case may represent a significant constitutional issue. She lamented how the media portrayal has influenced public perception, creating a challenge for the possibility of an impartial jury.
As Mangione was led into the crowded courtroom, he was visibly shackled and clad in a tan and white prison outfit—a noticeable shift from his previous court appearance where he wore a preppy outfit atop a bulletproof vest. Tension arose regarding allegations of “special treatment” after heart-shaped notes were found concealed within the packaging of argyle socks intended for Mangione. He ultimately opted to forego wearing the socks on that day, deciding instead to go without them.
Seated between his lawyers, Marc Agnifilo and Avraham Moskowitz—who is noted for his expertise in death penalty cases—Mangione appeared engaged, taking notes and watching proceedings closely. Discussions ensued over the order of his two upcoming trials in New York, with the prosecution favoring the state trial to occur first due to its capital designation, while the defense raised concerns regarding constitutional implications that could arise from prioritizing the federal trial.
Judge Garnett stated, “We will set the schedule for this case as though it is the only case,” with plans to establish a trial date at the next conference scheduled for December 5th, likely placing the trial in 2026.
After court concluded, Mangione seemed in good spirits as he shared smiles and eye contact with supporters and his legal team while exiting.
Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette, and their two children, who have kept a low profile since issuing a statement in December celebrating Thompson’s loving nature and profound impact on their lives. They expressed that he will be deeply missed as a devoted father.
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