Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty in New York City court to state murder, terror charges
LOWER MANHATTAN (WABC) -- Luigi Mangione was arraigned in state court Monday on murder and terror charges for allegedly gunning down United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month.
Mangione pleaded not guilty to the indictment, speaking into the microphone "Not Guilty."
Wearing a red sweater, white shirt, and chinos, Mangione was fully chained - at the wrists, torso, and ankles - as he was walked into court by two members of law enforcement. He was stone-faced as he was marched into the courtroom.
Prosecutor Joel Sideman said that the Manhattan District Attorney's office has "primary jurisdiction" over the case and will try their case before the federal case.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo was seated directly to the left of Mangione at counsel table, while Marc Agnifilo was seated at the end of the table facing the jury box, which was empty other than a sketch artist and pool camera. No family appeared to be present in court; instead, Mangione's prison consultant and another defense lawyer were seated in the first row of the gallery.
"I am very concerned about my client's right to a fair trial in this case. He is being prejudiced by some statements made by public officials," Agnifilo said, calling out Mayor Eric Adams specifically.
"He is a young man, and he is being treated like a human ping pong ball," Agnifilo said, calling Mangione "political fodder."
Agnifilo also called out law enforcement for the "biggest staffed perp walk I have ever seen in my career" and the public statements by Adams labeling Mangione a terrorist.
"What was the New York City Mayor doing at this press conference - that is utterly political," she said, before referencing the mayor's own criminal case. "The New York City mayor should know more than anyone the presumption of innocence..."
Agnifilo requested to immediately get the evidence against Mangione, and prosecutors suggested there could be up to two terabytes of evidence.
Judge Gregory Carro set the next hearing in the case for February 21.
"We are going to fight these charges, whether it's state or federal," Agnifilo said.
Carro set bail at a dollar, though the monetary amount of the state bail is a technicality because Mangione is in federal custody.
For approximately five minutes before leaving, Mangione conferred with his attorney and prison consultant. As Mangione signed multiple forms, at least four court officers hovered over the 26-year-old with their eyes locked on the alleged murderer. Once he finished signing the forms, officers immediately put back on his handcuffs, with the sound of the handcuff's metal ratcheting mechanism echoing in the quiet courtroom.
Back in chains, Mangione was walked out of court by two detectives, one of them grasping his arm as he walked out. Mangione - puckering his cheeks - grasped a small stack of papers as he walked out despite being handcuffed. He looked forward toward the exit the entire time, not seeming to acknowledge the crowd of public supporters.
Approximately 30 members of the public were seated in the back two rows of the courtroom. The majority of the group - all but four - were young women.
If convicted in federal court, Mangione faces the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum penalty for the state charges is life in prison without the possibility of parole. State and federal prosecutors are coordinating their cases, and the state case is expected to go to trial first.
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