Luigi Mangione, 26 years old, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania after five days of pursuit following his escape from Manhattan. He is accused of killing Brian Thompson, an executive of UnitedHealth Group Inc., in an alleged act of terrorism. The possibility of facing the death penalty has complicated his defense against state and federal charges.
In a recent hearing, Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, expressed that the government has not provided enough evidence for him to adequately respond to the charges against him. The defense attorney pointed out the discrepancy between the state and federal prosecution theories.
Dozens of Mangione's supporters showed up early at the courthouse, demonstrating their support for the accused. Through an online fundraising page, more than $500,000 has been raised to finance his legal defense. Mangione pleaded not guilty to the charges of first and second-degree murder.
At the hearing, it was detailed that Mangione waited outside a hotel in Manhattan before shooting Thompson with a 3D-printed 9mm pistol and a silencer. Federal authorities are still considering whether to seek the death penalty against him. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Mangione has expressed in a statement his gratitude for the support received and his hope for a fair resolution in the future.
