Brian Thompson’s murder suspect Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murder and stalking charges in New York federal court

The suspect in the United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murder, Luigi Mangione, has entered the Not Guilty plea in the case. Mangione faces four federal charges of alleged murder through the use of a firearm, a firearm offense and two counts of stalking. He pleaded Not Guilty to all the charges.

On April 25, 2025, when US District Judge Margaret Garnett asked Mangione if he understood the indictment charges against him, the suspect dressed in a tan jail suit replied yes. When asked to enter his plea, Mangione stated he was Not Guilty.

The suspect’s plea comes after federal prosecutors filed a notice of their intent to seek the death penalty on the charge of murder through the use of a firearm on April 24, 2025. US Attorney General Pam Bondi advised Federal Attorneys to seek the Death Penalty on April 1, 2025, citing the murder of the United Healthcare as shocking and cold-blooded, saying:

“Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”

Before adding:

“After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.”

The suspect’s lawyers reportedly described Bondi’s statements as a “political stunt” that contravened Justice Department regulations and the suspect’s constitutional rights to due process.

More details on Luigi Mangione’s court appearance on April 25, 2025, as 26-year-old suspect pleads not guilty to death penalty charge

Mangione arrived at the courthouse to significant fanfare outside his courtroom as several of his “supporters” held placards that read “Free Luigi.” Two advertising trucks reportedly denouncing the healthcare industry and the death penalty drove around the area.

According to AP News, several persons were lined at the court’s doorsteps to get seats inside. Reports also state that the suspect’s defense team had pushed for the suspect’s federal case to be heard first because it carried the death penalty.

Luigi Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, after a five-day search following the shooting of Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. The UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot outside a Hilton Hotel on his way to attend an investor’s conference. Surveillance footage showed a masked man discharging his gun from behind the CEO.

According to Police, the 9 mm handgun recovered from the suspect matched the one used in the shooting. Other items found with Mangione included a notebook where he scrawled hostile words about the health insurance industry and its executives.

Luigi Mangione’s next appearance in federal court will be on December 5, 2025. For the state case, the murder suspect will remain in the Brooklyn Federal Jail until June 26, 2025.

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