Luigi Mangione, 26, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, is set to appear in a Manhattan court on Friday. This will be his first hearing since his December arraignment on murder and terrorism charges.
The court session will provide updates on the case, with prosecutors and defense attorneys expected to discuss next steps. Judge Gregory Carro may also set deadlines for pretrial paperwork and possibly schedule a trial date.
The Charges Against Mangione
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to multiple murder charges, including one count of murder as an act of terrorism. Prosecutors say he ambushed and fatally shot Thompson on December 4, 2024, as the executive walked to an investor conference outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel.
Alongside the state charges, Mangione also faces federal charges, which could lead to the death penalty. Currently, he is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail, where other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried, are also detained. Prosecutors have stated that the state case will likely go to trial first.
Arrest and Evidence
Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania. Authorities found him in possession of a gun that allegedly matched the weapon used in the shooting, as well as a fake ID. Investigators also discovered a notebook with writings expressing anger toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives.
Legal Defense and Controversy
Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, has criticized the way officials have handled his case. She claimed that legal battles between different jurisdictions have turned Mangione into a “human ping-pong ball.” She also accused New York City Mayor Eric Adams of influencing the jury pool by staging Mangione’s return to Manhattan with a heavily armed police escort.
Mayor Adams had previously stated on television that he wanted to personally look Mangione “in the eye” and call out his alleged crime as a “terroristic act” against the city.
Next Steps in the Case
If convicted on the state charges, Mangione could face life in prison without parole. Meanwhile, a February 24 hearing in Pennsylvania on separate charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm, forgery, and providing false identification has been canceled.
Mangione has publicly thanked those who have supported him, claiming that the case has gained attention across political, racial, and class divisions.
