Mangione arraigned for CEO killing, death penalty sought: Live Updates

Luigi Mangione winks to gallery as feds seek death penalty in CEO slaying

Luigi Mangione was arraigned Friday on federal charges in the December killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — a deliberate attack carried out to “amplify an ideological message” and stoke “broad-based resistance” to the health insurance industry, federal prosecutors said in a court filing.

Mangione, 26, appeared in Manhattan federal court a week after a grand jury indicted him on four countsincluding murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of death.

Mangione, who pleaded not guilty, appeared calm throughout the 35-minute hearing as he conferred with his attorneys. Unlike past court appearances, he was dressed head-to-toe in a tan prison uniform rather than civilian clothes. He was not handcuffed and appeared to have had a recent haircut.

At one point toward the conclusion of the hearing, Mangione appeared to wink at someone seated in the packed gallery. It was not immediately clear who he was interacting with.

His defense team, led by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, alleged her client is enduring an “unprecedented dual prosecution,” referring to state and federal charges Mangione faces in New York. She insisted the overlapping cases created constitutional and logistical issues for the accused murderer.

Friedman Agnifilo also told District Judge Margaret Garnett that prosecutors in Manhattan had inadvertently listened to a telephone call from jail between Mangione and his legal team. She described the incident as “eavesdropping,” though she said it appeared to be unintentional and limited to one person.

“This is the very first time we’ve heard of this situation,” federal prosecutor Dominic Gentile told Judge Garnett.

Read the full story by Joshua Rhett Miller on Newsweek.

Judge orders new motion on death penalty in Mangione case

The death penalty remained a central topic in court today, as Judge Margaret Garnett directed defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to submit a new motion. Agnifilo’s initial request to block the government from seeking the death penalty was filed before Luigi Mangione’s formal indictment and before prosecutors officially notified the court of their intent to pursue capital punishment. The judge set a deadline of June 27 for the new motion to be submitted.

Additionally, the judge instructed prosecutors to remind Attorney General Pam Bondi and other government officials of the impact that public statements can have on jury selection and the fairness of the trial. The potential for the death penalty is a key reason why the defense wants Mangione’s federal trial to proceed before his state trial.

How Luigi Mangione donations changed after hearing

Financial donations to Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsoncontinued to pour in after he appeared in a New York courtroom on Friday on federal felony charges.

Glutton26, is facing federal and state charges in New York and Pennsylvania, including murder with a firearm, forgery and identity falsification for allegedly shooting and killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO outside a Manhattan hotel in December 2024. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In mid-April, Mangione was indicted on a federal murder charge along with two counts of stalking and a firearms charge. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Mangione.

Read the full story by Nick Mordowanec on Newsweek.

Mangione’s lawyers raise concerns over dual prosecutions and death penalty politics

Luigi Mangione appeared calm in court today, dressed in a tan prison jumpsuit, as his high-profile murder case moved forward. He occasionally glanced around the packed courtroom or passed notes to his attorneys.

His defense team, led by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, again criticized what they called an “unprecedented dual prosecution,” referring to both state and federal charges Mangione faces in New York. She argued the overlapping cases were creating constitutional and logistical problems.

The case has drawn political attention since Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the Justice Department would seek the death penalty, framing it as part of President Trump’s broader crackdown on violent crime. In court, the judge cautioned prosecutors to remind Bondi and others that public statements could affect the jury selection process.

Mangione’s lawyer says jail calls with legal team were overheard

During Friday’s court hearing, Luigi Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, told the judge that state prosecutors had inadvertently listened to a jail call between Mangione and his legal team. She described the incident as “eavesdropping,” though she said it appeared to be unintentional and limited to one person.

Federal prosecutor Dominic Gentile said, per Newsweek reporter Joshua Rhett Miller, “This is the very first we’ve heard of this situation.”

In response, the judge ordered the government to submit a letter within seven days confirming that Mangione will have secure, private phone access to his lawyers.

Supporters show up for Mangione

People showed up to support Mangione in court, many of them carrying posters and banners in his favor.

Mangione’s lawyers request federal murder trial be held first

Mangione is facing two separate murder cases: one at the state level and one at the federal level.

He has pleaded not guilty in both, meaning two trials are expected.

Although it had previously been agreed that the state case would proceed first, Mangione’s defense team has now asked the court to prioritize the federal case.

That trial carries the possibility of a death sentence, and his lawyers say it should be addressed first.

Judge orders prosecution to turn over all discovery by May 27

A federal judge has ordered prosecutors to produce all discovery materials in the case against Luigi Mangione by May 27, Newsweek reporter Joshua Rhett Miller, who was in the courtroom, said.

The order includes search warrants, social media records, and information from both Pennsylvania prosecutors and the Manhattan District Attorney.

Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal charges

Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of stalking, firearms offenses, and murder.

His next date in court is December 5, 2025.

Luigi Mangione arrives at court for federal plea hearing

Mangione appeared in court Friday for a plea hearing in his federal case.

Mangione entered the courtroom wearing a tan prison jumpsuit but was not in handcuffs. He walked in alongside members of his defense team.

Details of the plea and charges have not yet been disclosed.

Critic slams call for death penalty in Luigi Mangione case

Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in what authorities are calling “murder as an act of terrorism.”

In response, Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action, issued a sharp rebuke Friday, calling the move a “hypocritical political stunt.”

Bonowitz argued in a statement sent to Newsweek that capital punishment fails to bring true justice or enhance public safety, referencing the life sentence given to the perpetrator of the El Paso Walmart mass shooting, who was not sentenced to death despite targeting victims based on race.

“Brian Thompson’s life did not matter more than the lives of regular people who were simply out shopping while Brown,” Bonowitz said, urging the Justice Department to reconsider and seek an alternative punishment if Mangione is convicted.

Mangione’s trial has not yet begun, and he has pleaded not guilty in a separate state case related to the December 2024 shooting.

Hearing to start in under an hour

Mangione has already pleaded not guilty in a separate state-level murder case connected to Thompson’s December 4 shooting.

Prosecutors say both the federal and state cases will proceed at the same time.

Today’s hearing was scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. local time

View outside the courtroom today

Luigi Mangione is set to appear in Manhattan federal court Friday to enter a plea in the fatal shooting of health insurance executive Brian Thompson. His arraignment came one day after prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty in the case. Mangione is accused of carrying out the killing in what authorities allege was a targeted attack.

How the death penalty works in the United States

The death penalty is reserved for the most serious crimessuch as murder, treason, or the killing or kidnapping of top U.S. officials. Unlike other punishments, a jury, not just a judge, must decide whether to impose it.

Though many states have abolished or stopped using capital punishment, the federal government still retains the option. The Supreme Court has ruled that executing individuals who were under 18 at the time of the crime or who are intellectually disabled violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

See the full filing pursuing the death penalty for Mangione

Federal prosecutors have formally announced their intention to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a targeted attack. Mangione faces a range of charges, including murder with a firearm, forgery, and identity falsification, following Thompson’s death outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Read the prosecutors’ full filing below:

Luigi Mangione donations surge to nearly $1 million

Mangione has seen his legal defense fund surge with two large anonymous donations. As his case moves toward a potential federal death penalty trial, the GiveSendGo campaign has now raised over $948,679.

The recent donations, including $23,000 from one anonymous donor who expressed opposition to the political exploitation of the case, reflect growing unease among supporters about the perceived political overtones of the trial. The legal funds will cover costs related to the three ongoing criminal proceedings against Mangione.

“An ocean of love support you, Luigi,” one anonymous donor who gave $50 wrote early Friday.

“You deserve more than a fair trial,” wrote another supporter, Mark Rosario, who donated $56 and is the name on the fake New Jersey ID that Mangione had on him at the time of his arrest in Altoona. “You deserve freedom, dignity, and a future. We see you, we believe in you, and we’re not going anywhere. The fight isn’t over. It’s only begun.”

The case has drawn significant public attention, especially following U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s announcement that federal prosecutors would seek the death penalty, framing the case as part of a broader effort to combat violent crime.

Man arrested near UnitedHealthcare headquarters in Minnesota after threatening violence

A man was arrested near UnitedHealthcare’s headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, after allegedly threatening violence, authorities said on April 14. The incident occurred at around 11 a.m. when the man was spotted in a parking lot outside the corporate campus. The individual contacted the FBI’s Minneapolis field office, and an FBI negotiator made contact by phone.

After about an hour of steady communication, police and the FBI convinced the man to surrender peacefully, with no threat to the public. The man, who had prior interactions with local police, was found at a security checkpoint where he wasn’t authorized to be.

While the investigation is still in its early stages, officials stated there was no indication the man had specific grievances against UnitedHealthcare. The incident is not linked to the December killing of the company’s CEO, Brian Thompson, who was shot outside a New York hotel by Luigi Mangione. Mangione faces state and federal charges, including murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Luigi Mangione faces death penalty for UnitedHealthcare CEO murder

Luigi Mangione, 26, is facing federal charges, including stalking and murder, in connection to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last December.

The Justice Department has announced its intent to seek the death penalty against Mangione, citing the premeditated nature of the crime and its devastating impact.