Luigi Mangione entered a not guilty plea for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a high-stakes federal death penalty case. The judge emphasized the need to protect his right to a fair trial, specifically addressing concerns regarding public commentary and the government's premature announcement of the death penalty. Despite the severity of the charges, including murder and terror offenses that could result in life imprisonment, Mangione and his attorneys are pushing for a fair judicial process as he prepares for trial.
Before a packed courtroom in Manhattan federal court, the 26-year-old, wearing beige prison garb with a white long-sleeved shirt underneath, stood and proclaimed he was not guilty of murder through the use of a firearm.
The Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the Justice Department would seek the death penalty against him, the first sought since President Donald Trump's return to power.
Judge Margaret Garnett specifically directed the government to communicate her concerns about safeguarding Mangione's right to a fair trial amidst the high-profile nature of the case.
Mangione's attorneys argued that the premature announcement of the death penalty was prejudicial to his ability to find an impartial jury.
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