United States: On Monday, Luigi Mangione said he is not guilty of murder and terror charges for the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione’s lawyer told the court that her client is being treated unfairly and used by the police and the mayor of New York City for political reasons.
Arriving before the new Manhattan courtroom, the double shackled Mangione was flanked by heavy guard. He was in civilian clothes, a maroon sweater and a light-colored shirt and chinos.
As reported by the abc news, “I am not guilty,” Mangione told a packed courtroom by speaking to a microphone, adding that he wasn’t guilty of 11 charges in the indictment, including first degree murder in furtherance of terrorism. The arraignment was held before Judge Gregory Carro.
UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing: Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to state charges @FoxNews @kilmeade
— Bianchi Law Group (@bianchilawgroup) December 24, 2024
🚨Former Head Prosecutor and Criminal Defense Attorney @RBianchiEsq breaks down the CEO murder suspect #LuigiMangione who pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court Monday pic.twitter.com/g66Hyhq6yJ
Fittingly, the high-profile defendant did not appear to have a family in the courtroom. And about two dozen women who stood in line in the cold awaiting public seats in the courtroom gallery to watch the proceeding said they were there to support Mangione. Many of the women wore face masks, some of them looked visibly emotional as Mangione entered the courtroom.
“It’s a grave injustice, that’s why we’re all here,” one of the women, who arrived at the courthouse at 5 a.m., told ABC News.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has ‘primary jurisdiction’ over the case and will prosecute Mangione before the federal prosecution of Mangione, prosecutor Joel Sideman said during the arraignment. Sideman said the accused killer will likely be returned to federal custody.
Luigi Mangione‘s attorney says his perp walk was staged. pic.twitter.com/ImgAxGudf9
— RebelwithoutaReason (@RebelwoaReason) December 24, 2024
Mangione sat stone faced next to his attorney Karen Friedman Angifilo who, in a matching white collared shirt like her client, wore a sweater over it during the brief court hearing.
Agnifilo immediately took issue in court that Mangione’s rights were being violated and that the case was being politicalized.
“Clearly, I am very concerned for my client’s right to a fair trial in this case.” Agnifilo said some public officials have made statements that are prejudicing him and from Eric Adams in New York City and noted violence has increased by 34 percent this year compared with last year.