Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to 11 state charges including murder in the first degree in furtherance of terrorism in a New York courtroom on December 23rd. He murdered CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson on Monday, December 9. His lawyer, however, claims there’s no evidence he shot the CEO.
Mangione was arrested the same day he shot the CEO in Altoona, Pennsylvania while sitting in a McDonald’s after one of the workers recognized him and called 911.
The charges he faces could warrant the death penalty, considering the act of terrorism, it brings his crimes from a state to federal level.
Investigators believe his possession of many items such as a fake ID, 3D printed gun, and a mask make this a planned murder.
Hours after Mangione was charged, shirts, hoodies, mugs, and other merchandise filled online stores with messages like “deny, defend, depose.” A manifesto was found explaining how and why he was going to kill Thompson.
Some people support arresting and bringing Mangione to trial, but others say he sparked a revolution. Supporters of Mangione call him “a hero” or “activist killer.”
Many government officials have spoken out against Mangione and that could be cause for concern, because it would affect the chances of him getting a fair trial.
Mangione is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, and his next court appearance is set to be on February 21st.
