UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: Accused pleads not guilty as prosecutors seek death penalty

UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO Brian Thompson's killer Luigi Mangione on Friday pleaded not guilty to federal charges, a day after prosecutors formally stated that they would seek death penalty.

In a packed lower Manhattan courtroom, Mangione stood up and said "not guilty" when U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett asked for his plea

Mangione, 26, previously pleaded not guilty to a separate set of New York state charges over the December 4 killing of Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealth Group's insurance unit UnitedHealthcare.

Earlier this month, US attorney general Pam Bondi announced that the Justice Department would seek the death penalty for Mangione.

The Manhattan US Attorney's office formalized their intent in a Thursday night court filing.

Mangione's lawyers have said Bondi's April 1 announcement was "unapologetically political" and breached government protocols for death penalty decisions.

It may be recalled that president Donald Trump had vowed to resume federal executions after assuming office.

Judge Garnett gave the defense until June 27 to file a legal brief laying out their arguments as to why the government should be barred from pursuing capital punishment.

She set Mangione's next court date for December 5, and aims to have a trial date next year.

Mangione is currently being held in a federal lockup in Brooklyn.

The brazen shooting of Thompson last December and the five-day manhunt, had captivated Americans.

While the killing was widely condemned, some Americans cheered Mangione, saying he drew attention to steep US healthcare costs and the insurers' refusal of payment for some treatments.

If Mangione is convicted in the federal case, the jury would determine in a separate phase of the trial whether to recommend the death penalty. (Reuters)