Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, entered a not guilty plea Friday to a federal murder charge in Manhattan federal court, as prosecutors formally declared their intent to seek the death penalty in the high-profile case.

Mangione, dressed in a mustard-colored jail suit, stood between his attorneys and leaned toward a microphone as U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett asked if he understood the indictment charging him with the December shooting of Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel. Mangione confirmed his understanding and, when asked for his plea, replied, “not guilty,” before taking his seat.

The arraignment drew a large crowd, with dozens gathering at the courthouse, including former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. Some supporters lined up for hours to secure a seat inside, while others rallied outside, joined by advertising trucks displaying videos critical of the health insurance industry and the death penalty.

Late Thursday, federal prosecutors filed the official notice of intent to pursue capital punishment, just weeks after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the government’s decision to seek the death penalty for “an act of political violence” and a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”

Bondi’s April 1 statement emphasized the administration’s commitment to resuming federal executions and “carrying out President [Donald] Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.”

This marks the first time the Justice Department has pursued capital punishment since Trump’s return to office in January, when he signed an executive order directing federal authorities to assist states in obtaining execution drugs and to seek the death penalty in severe criminal cases.

“While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi,” defense lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said.

The judge addressed such concerns in court, telling federal prosecutors to remind Justice Department officials that court rules prohibit pretrial publicity that could compromise the defendant’s right to a fair trial.

Charges and Evidence

The federal indictment against Mangione includes charges of murder with a firearm, stalking, and a gun offense, with the murder charge carrying the possibility of the death penalty.

Surveillance footage shows a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind as he arrived for UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference. Police noted that the ammunition used in the shooting was marked with the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose,” echoing existing criticisms of how the insurance industry handles claims.

A notebook recovered at the time of Mangione’s arrest reportedly contained entries expressing an intent to target the insurance sector.

Arrest and Aftermath

Mangione was arrested on Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, more than 200 miles from New York City, following a five-day manhunt. Authorities say he was found with a 9mm handgun matching the weapon used in the crime, a sound suppressor, multiple fake IDs, and other items.

Mangione remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His next federal court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 5, just after the first anniversary of Thompson’s death, with a state court appearance set for June 26. No trial date has been set in either case.

If convicted in federal court, Mangione would face a separate penalty phase, where a jury must unanimously recommend the death penalty for it to be imposed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.