Defendant pleads not guilty during trial in New York

This Monday (23), the first hearing of Luigi Mangione, suspected of murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, took place. Mangione, 26, faces 11 charges (including murder and stalking).

Luigi Mangione is 26 years old, from Maryland and comes from an influential family. The Mangione family is known in Baltimore for its businesses, including country clubs, nursing homes and radio stations, local media reported. The suspect's grandparents, Nicholas and Mary Mangione, were real estate investors who purchased Turf Valley Country Club in 1978 and in 1986 purchased Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley. Shortly after the suspect was charged, Republican state Rep. Nino Mangione issued a statement saying the suspect's family was “shocked and appalled.” He is believed to be Luigi's cousin.

“Our prayers go out to Brian Thompson’s family and we ask that people pray for everyone involved.”said the statement, signed by the Mangione family.

On Thursday (19), Mangione received three charges: two for possession of a firearm and one for stalking. Luigi could be sentenced to death if found guilty on the federal charge, while the other state charges will give him a life sentence without parole.

In the case of Luigi Mangione, the state and federal trials will work together, but the resolution of the state charge must take place before the federal one.

_{Luigi Mangione is transferred to New York to be able to face a hearing in person (Video: Reproduction/UOL/YouTube)}

According to the document found with Luigi, the reason for this crime to happen would be Mangione's resentment towards United Healthcare. According to murder investigators, this document said that people deserved this and apologized for any suffering that might be caused to people, but that it was something necessary to do.

People close to Mangioni told US media that Mangione underwent back surgery. The background image, believed to be Mangione's X social media account, shows an x-ray of a spinal column with implants. It is unclear, however, to what extent Mangione's personal experiences with the health care system influenced his views.

His social media profiles also appear to indicate that Mangione has distanced himself from family and friends in recent months. In an October post on X, a netizen said he was worried about Magione's disappearance and also said his family is obviously looking for him.

Featured Photo: Luigi Mangione being transferred to New York to undergo trial on the eleven charges (Reproduction/Pool/Getty Images Embed)