
02/22/2025
Accused Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Appears in Court as Case Moves Forward
POLICE UPLOAD—New York City—Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared in court on Friday for a status hearing as legal proceedings continue in one of the most high-profile murder cases in recent memory.
Mangione, who has pleaded not guilty to state charges, entered the courtroom shackled at the wrists and ankles, wearing a bulletproof vest over a green sweater—a color notably worn by his supporters gathered inside and outside the courthouse. Judge Gregory Carro denied a request from the defense to remove his restraints.
The December 4, 2024, killing of Thompson, which occurred on a busy Manhattan sidewalk near a hotel hosting UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference, sent shockwaves through the corporate and legal communities. The case has drawn widespread media attention, particularly given the suspect’s alleged grievances against the health insurance industry.
Evidence and Legal Developments
Prosecutors outlined the extensive evidence against Mangione, including surveillance footage, police body camera recordings, forensic DNA results, autopsy reports, and a cell phone found at the crime scene. The prosecution stated that additional materials still need to be turned over to the defense.
Judge Carro scheduled the next hearing for June 26, setting deadlines for the defense to file motions, despite objections from Mangione’s attorneys. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, his lead defense attorney, raised concerns about what she called “serious constitutional violations” regarding evidence collected during his arrest in Pennsylvania.
“There are three separate prosecutions happening for one event,” Agnifilo said, referring to the federal, New York State, and Pennsylvania cases against her client. She further argued that law enforcement may have unlawfully seized some of Mangione’s belongings, indicating a potential challenge to the admissibility of key evidence.
Public Reaction and Support for Mangione
The case has generated an unusual level of public interest and even support for Mangione. Outside the courtroom, demonstrators held signs reading “Free Luigi” and “Healthcare is a Human Right,” while others displayed mock “WANTED” posters featuring the faces of other high-profile healthcare executives. Inside the courthouse, many young women packed the hallways wearing “Free Luigi” apparel.
This hearing was held in the same courtroom where former President Donald Trump faced trial last year, adding another layer of intrigue to an already sensational case.
Charges and Possible Sentences
Mangione faces an 11-count indictment in New York, including first-degree murder “in furtherance of an act of terrorism,” a charge rarely seen in the state’s legal system. If convicted on this count, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors argue that Mangione’s alleged actions were motivated by an ideological opposition to corporate healthcare practices.
On the federal level, Mangione has been charged with murder through the use of a firearm, multiple counts of stalking, and other weapons offenses. If convicted federally, he could face the death penalty—though the Justice Department has not yet announced whether it will pursue that option.
Next Steps
The legal battle ahead remains complex, with Mangione’s attorneys pushing for full access to all discovery materials before making additional legal moves. The federal trial is on hold while the New York state case proceeds.
Mangione recently issued his first statement from jail, thanking supporters who have written to him, saying their messages have “transcended political, racial, and class divisions.” His legal team has also launched a website to provide case updates.
As the case unfolds, prosecutors remain firm in their stance that this was a premeditated act of domestic terrorism, while Mangione’s defense prepares for a hard-fought legal battle.