The man allegedly responsible for killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has just pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Associated Press reports that Luigi Mangione entered his not guilty plea on Friday.

This comes after prosecutors indicated that they will seek the death penalty as Mangione's punishment, should he be found guilty of the charges.

It should be noted that there is a federal and a state case against Mangione. This has to do with the federal case.

Background

Mangione is alleged to have gunned down Thompson in Manhattan, New York, on Dec. 4, 2024. 

Fox9 reports:

According to authorities, Mangione had a 9mm handgun that matched the one used to kill Thompson during his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Investigators said he was also carrying a passport, fake IDs and about $10,000.

And, there is much more evidence than this.

The outlet continues:

The federal complaint filed in December also stated that Mangione had a spiral notebook that included several handwritten pages expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives . . . Moreover, the complaint points to surveillance images of the apparent shooter at the hotel where the attack took place, in a taxi, at a hostel and escaping the murder scene by bike.

It is this rather extensive amount of evidence that makes Mangione's not guilty plea surprising. The big question, of course, is what he legal defense is going to look like.

"Not guilty"

The Associated Press describes how Mangione entered his "not guilty" plea on Friday.

Per the outlet:

Mangione, 26, stood between his lawyers and leaned toward a tabletop microphone as he entered the plea in Manhattan federal court. He responded “yes” when U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett asked if he understood the indictment that charges him with gunning down Thompson outside a midtown hotel last December. Asked how he wished to plead, Mangione said simply “not guilty” and sat down.

The courtroom and the premises surrounding the courthouse were packed, as this case has drawn significant public attention.

In state court, Mangione is facing life behind bars, whereas in the federal courts, he is now facing the death penalty. The state case is expected to begin before the federal one.

The Associated Press reports:

Mangione is next due in federal court on Dec. 5, a day after the one-year anniversary of Thompson’s death. His next appearance in the state case is set for June 26. No trial date has been set in either case.