Luigi Mangione will stand trial in June for the murder of a UnitedHealth CEO, as his lawyers argue a separate federal case constitutes double jeopardy.
NEW YORK: Luigi Mangione will face a state trial on June 8 for the murder of a health insurance CEO. The decision was made by a state court judge on Friday.
Mangione is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk. The killing occurred outside a Hilton hotel on December 4, 2024.
While being led from court, Mangione argued the decision unfairly subjects him to two trials. He faces a separate federal trial scheduled for October 13.
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“It’s the same trial twice. One plus one equals two. Double jeopardy by any common-sense definition,” Mangione said. His lawyer, Karen Agnifilo, also objected to the June date.
Agnifilo said the defense would not be ready and accused prosecutors of seeking “two bites at the apple.” She noted Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
State Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro set the trial date. He expressed frustration that federal prosecutors had “reneged” on a promise to let the state case proceed first.
Manhattan prosecutors have been pushing for a speedy trial to go before federal authorities. Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann argued the state was entitled to go first as they made the initial arrest.
Mangione, 27, was arrested in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt. He has been jailed since his arrest and has become an online folk hero for some critics of the US health insurance industry.
State prosecutors initially charged Mangione with terrorism, but Justice Carro threw out that charge. He found insufficient evidence the alleged actions aimed to influence public policy.
Federal prosecutors separately brought murder, weapons and stalking charges. They had said they would seek the death penalty.
In January, the federal judge threw out the murder and weapons charges on a legal technicality. This eliminated the possibility of the death penalty.
Mangione could still face life in prison if convicted of the federal stalking charge. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both the state and federal cases.
