Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are pursuing the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of deliberately killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione, 26, has entered a not guilty plea to all federal charges related to the shooting of Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan last year.
Arrested in December, Mangione faces charges of murder and stalking, and his not guilty plea sets the stage for a trial where prosecutors are seeking capital punishment if he is found guilty.
On Friday, Mangione appeared in court dressed in prison attire and handcuffed. He confirmed to the judge that he had reviewed the indictment before stating, "not guilty."
Earlier that day, federal prosecutors formally filed their intent to seek the death penalty, claiming Mangione killed Thompson to promote an ideological agenda and incite opposition to the health insurance sector.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who authorized the pursuit of capital punishment, described Thompson's murder in April as "an act of political violence."
Mangione's defense team has previously labeled the notion of executing him as "barbaric."
During a 35-minute court session, Judge Margaret Garnett worked to establish a pre-trial timeline, while Mangione's attorneys raised concerns regarding the indictments on both federal and state levels in New York.
The judge acknowledged that Mangione's lawyers would require several months to sift through the "three terabytes" of evidence provided by prosecutors, which includes police footage, social media data, and information from financial and telecommunications companies.
As a result, Mangione's federal trial is not expected to commence until 2026, with the next federal hearing scheduled for December 5, when a definitive trial date will be established.
During the hearing, Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, advocated for her client to be tried in federal court first, where the death penalty is a possibility, arguing that trying him in state court first could lead to "constitutional issues."
She also accused state prosecutors of "eavesdropping" on Mangione's recorded conversations with her while he was in jail. Judge Garnett requested that prosecutors submit a letter within a week detailing how Mangione would have access to a separate phone line for confidential discussions with his legal team.
The judge further instructed Agnifilo to file a new motion by June 27 to prevent the government from pursuing the death penalty, as her initial motion was submitted before prosecutors officially announced their intent.
Judge Garnett also reminded prosecutors to inform Bondi and other officials about the importance of adhering to rules regarding public statements and their potential effects on a fair trial and jury selection.
In addition to federal charges, Mangione faces state charges in Pennsylvania, where he was apprehended, and in New York. He pleaded not guilty to state murder and terrorism charges during an arraignment in December.
Thompson was fatally shot in Manhattan on December 4 of last year. The suspect fled the scene and left the city, but five days later, Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania.
Public sentiment surrounding Thompson's murder has highlighted significant discontent with privatized healthcare, with some viewing Mangione as a folk hero. A legal defense fund for him has raised nearly $1 million (£750,000) in contributions.
Supporters also gathered outside the courthouse on Friday.
At the crime scene, shell casings inscribed with the words "deny," "defend," and "depose" were discovered, which critics argue are linked to healthcare companies' practices of avoiding payouts and maximizing profits.