UnitedHealthcare CEO Assassination Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

(CLO) Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting and killing Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on a Manhattan street, pleaded not guilty in a New York state court on Monday.

Mangione, 26, appeared before Judge Gregory Carro in New York State Criminal Court in Manhattan. Asked to comment on the 11-count indictment, which includes murder with a terroristic motive and weapons offenses, Mangione replied into the microphone: “Not guilty.” If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole.

Luigi Mangione is escorted into Manhattan Criminal Court to appear on murder and state terrorism charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 23, 2024, in New York, U.S. (Photo courtesy of AP, not for re-release)

Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealth Group’s health insurance unit, was shot and killed on December 4 outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel where the company was holding an investor conference. The incident and subsequent five-day manhunt captured the nation’s attention.

Some people have condemned the killing, while others see Mangione as a "hero" for protesting high medical costs and the power of insurance companies to refuse to pay for treatment.

Mangione was arrested on December 9 at a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, argued that her client may not get a fair trial due to interference from the media and the public. "They are turning him into a political tool," Friedman said.

Outside the courthouse, dozens of people gathered in the cold to support Mangione and express their displeasure with health insurance companies. Some carried signs criticizing the insurance companies' strategy, such as "Deny, Delay, Fight."

"Shooting a CEO doesn't make him a terrorist, and I don't feel threatened," said Kara Hay, 42, a teacher.

In addition to the New York case, Mangione also faces federal charges, including the stalking and murder of Thompson. The federal charges could result in the death penalty if prosecutors decide to pursue them.

The two cases will be tried in parallel, with the state trial scheduled to take place first. However, defense attorneys have argued that facing both cases at the same time is prejudicial to Mangione's interests, calling it "ping-pong" between the two legal systems.

Mangione is currently being held at the Brooklyn Federal Detention Center, and his next court appearance is scheduled for February 21.

According to the federal complaint, police found a notebook when they arrested Mangione that contained several handwritten pages expressing hatred for the health insurance industry and wealthy CEOs. One page, dated October 22, included a plan to “kill” a CEO at a company conference.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters, NPR, NYPost)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nghi-pham-am-sat-ceo-bao-hiem-y-te-unitedhealthcare-quyet-khong-nhan-toi-post327176.html