• Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal charges of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
• Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty, citing the crime as politically motivated violence.
• The case has sparked national discussions regarding healthcare and capital punishment policies.
• Protests and public support for Mangione have emerged, reflecting a divided public opinion.
• U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urged the pursuit of the death penalty, prompting judicial caution regarding public statements.

Luigi Mangione, 26, appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Friday, April 25. Federal prosecutors have formally filed notice to seek the death penalty against him, marking a significant moment in the ongoing case linked to an act described as "political violence" in a heated debate about the healthcare industry. Mangione is accused of shooting Thompson outside a hotel on December 4, 2024, as he arrived for an investor conference, which has captivated public attention across the nation, according to Reuters and New York Times.

During the arraignment, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reiterated the Justice Department's intent to pursue capital punishment, a move that has drawn criticism and concern over the potential political motivations behind the decision. "This case is about a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America," she stated. Critics argue, however, that the charges are being pursued to make a political statement about healthcare, which has further polarized public opinion, as noted by ABC News and Channel News Asia.