NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare pleaded not guilty on Monday to state murder and terror charges while his attorney complained that comments coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough to receive a fair trial. Luigi Mangione, 26, was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his plea. The Manhattan district attorney charged him last week with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism . Mangione's initial appearance in New York’s state trial court was preempted by federal prosecutors bringing their own charges over the shooting. The federal charges could carry the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole. Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks , with the state charges expected to go to trial first. One of Mangione’s attorneys told a judge that the “warring jurisdictions" had turned Mangione into a “human ping-pong ball” and that New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other government officials had made him a political pawn, robbing him of his rights as a defendant and tainting the jury pool. “I am very concerned about my client’s right to a fair trial,” lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said. Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stood among a throng of heavily armed officers last Thursday when Mangione was flown to a Manhattan heliport and escorted up a pier after being extradited from Pennsylvania. Friedman Agnifilo said police turned Mangione’s return to New York into a choreographed spectacle. She called out Adams' comment to a local TV station that he wanted to be there to look “him in the eye and say, ‘you carried out this terroristic act in my city.’” “He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest stage perp walk I’ve ever seen in my career. It was absolutely unnecessary,” she said. She also accused federal and state prosecutors of advancing conflicting legal theories, calling their approach confusing and highly unusual. In a statement, Adams spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus wrote: “Critics can say all they want, but showing up to support our law enforcement and sending the message to New Yorkers that violence and vitriol have no place in our city is who Mayor Eric Adams is to his core.” “The cold-blooded assassination of Brian Thompson — a father of two — and the terror it infused on the streets of New York City for days has since been sickeningly glorified, shining a spotlight on the darkest corners of the internet,” Mamelak Altus said. State trial court Judge Gregory Carro said he has little control over what happens outside the courtroom, but can guarantee Mangione will receive a fair trial. Authorities say Mangione gunned down Thompson as he was walking to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan on the morning of Dec 4. Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s after a five-day search, carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID, police said. He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, according to federal prosecutors. At a news conference last week, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the application of the terrorism law reflected the severity of a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.” “In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to evoke terror,” he added. Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried. During his court appearance Monday, he smiled at times when talking with his attorneys and stretched his right hand after an officer removed his cuffs. Outside the courthouse, a few dozen supporters chanted, “Free Luigi,” over the blare of a trumpet. Natalie Monarrez, a 55-year-old Staten Island resident, said she joined the demonstration because she lost both her mother and her life savings as a result of denied insurance claims. “As extreme as it was, it jolted the conversation that we need to deal with this issue,” she said of the shooting. “Enough is enough, people are fed up.” An Ivy-league graduate from a prominent Maryland family, Mangione appeared to have cut himself off from family and friends in recent months. He posted frequently in online forums about his struggles with back pain. He was never a UnitedHealthcare client , according to the insurer. Thompson, a married father of two high-schoolers, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021. The killing has prompted some to voice their resentment at U.S. health insurers, with Mangione serving as a stand-in for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills. It also has sent shockwaves through the corporate world , rattling executives who say they have received a spike in threats.Rams Add Former First-Round Pick to Secondary
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By Kelvin Meluwa The much-anticipated semi-final matches of the Delta State Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup are set to commence today, December 3 as football fans wait eagerly to savour the battle for the final sports. At 2 pm, Team Itsekiri (Ugbomarun FC) will face Team Isoko (Winsome FC) at Ogor Technical College, Ughelli. At the same time, Team Urhobo (Udu United FC) will clash with Team Ndokwa (Ndokwa East United FC) at the Oleh Township Stadium. Football fans are eager to see if Team Itsekiri’s attacking flair or Team Urhobo’s defensive solidity will take them to the final—or if underdogs Team Isoko and Team Ndokwa would cause major upsets. Speaking about the tournament, the President of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade, said, “This competition is not just about football. It is a celebration of unity, fostering peace among ethnic groups in Delta State. We look forward to thrilling semifinals and an even more electrifying grand finale.” Mulade also revealed that the final match is scheduled for December 8 at the Baptist High School Field in Orerokpe Town, Okpe Local Government Area. He disclosed that after the final, a reception for all teams will be held at the Africa 4 Peace Games-Village in Ugolo-Osubi. Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You. NEWS UPDATE: Nigerians have been finally approved to earn Dollars from home, acquire premium domains for as low as $1500, profit as much as $22,000 (₦37million+). Click here to start.California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
Jarrod Bowen held Antonio’s number nine shirt aloft after scoring the winner in support of the Hammers striker, who is recovering after a horror car crash on Saturday. Boss Julen Lopetegui said: “He is not in his best moment but he kept his humour. It was a special moment for us. “I think we have a lot of reason to win matches but this was one reason more. He’s alive so we are happy.” West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9′ shirts while warming up and walking out before kick-off. The shirts will be signed by the players, including Antonio, and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK. Tomas Soucek headed West Ham into the lead and held up nine fingers to a TV camera. The Czech midfielder told Sky Sports: “He’s been here since I came here. He is really my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him. “I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us.” Matt Doherty equalised for Wolves, and boss Gary O’Neil felt they should have had two penalties for fouls on Goncalo Guedes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, both of which were checked by VAR. But Bowen’s winner – O’Neil believed there was a foul in the build-up – condemned Wolves to a 10th defeat of the season and a third in a row. While under-pressure Lopetegui may have earned a stay of execution, O’Neil’s future as Wolves manager is now in serious doubt. “A lot of things went against us but ultimately we have not found a way to turn the game in our favour,” he said. “But the players showed they are still fighting for me, for the fans and the group. “Where does this leave me? In the same place I was. I’m aware of the noise. But if anyone expected this to be easy – I’m happy to be judged on results but it should be done in context. “Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it.” There was an acrimonious end to the match as captains Bowen and Mario Lemina scuffled after the final whistle, with the Wolves midfielder angrily shoving people including one of his own coaches, Shaun Derry. “I just went to shake his hand after the game,” Bowen said. “He didn’t want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say ‘well done’ after the game. “I know it’s difficult when you lose. I’ve been on the end of that situation.” O’Neil added: “Mario is calm now. He’s a passionate guy and something was said that upset him. “The instinct of the staff was to make sure he didn’t get into trouble, but he took some calming down.”The dopingcase involving Iga Swiatek continues to spark reactions after media outletshighlighted her friendship with WADA President Witold Banka. The former 400msprinter has publicly praised the 5-time Grand Slam champion on social mediaseveral times in the past. Swiatektested positive for Trimetazidine, a heart medication banned under anti-dopingregulations. Reports suggest the substance entered her system throughcontaminated melatonin, which she uses to combat jet lag. While this explainsthe unintentional ingestion, Swiatek was not fully exonerated and accepted aone-month suspension. Journalist questions WADA president’s neutrality The 4-timeRoland Garros champion was suspended by the ITIA on November 27, more thanthree months after testing positive—a period during which the case remainedundisclosed, allowing Swiatek to continue competing. Her suspension ends onDecember 4, enabling her to return to the Tour when it resumes in 2024. Sportsjournalist Edmund Willison has criticised WADA President Witold Banka for hispast praise of Swiatek, arguing that a senior figure in an anti-dopinginstitution should maintain neutrality. Willison revealed a series of tweetsfrom Banka lauding Swiatek, including: "‘IGA- Incredible, Genius, Amazing Bravo.’ Just the five tweets from the WADApresident Witold Banka praising Iga Swiatek over the years. WADA now has theright of appeal. Better for anti-doping officials to keep it neutral. You neverknow what's around the corner." As in thecase of Jannik Sinner, the delay in making the information public has drawnattention. Over the weekend, Swiatek used social media to address the ordeal. “I'mfinally allowed... so I instantly want to share with you something that becamethe worst experience of my life,” she wrote. “In thelast 2.5 months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed myinnocence. The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably lowlevels of a banned substance I've never heard about before, put everything I'veworked so hard for my entire life into question. Both me and my team had todeal with tremendous stress and anxiety,” she added. "IGA - Incredible, Genius, Amazing Bravo" Just the five tweets from the WADA president Witold Banka praising Iga Swiatek over the years. WADA now has right of appeal. Better for anti-doping officials to keep it neutral. You never know what's around the corner. pic.twitter.com/ClBqRzdLFD This article first appeared on TennisUpToDate.com and was syndicated with permission.