The Mangione Trial

Luigi Mangione enters his pleas to all federal charges over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mr Thompson, a father of two, was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel late last year. Mangione faces four federal charges - murder, using a weapon with a silencer, and two counts of stalking. Prosecutors are seeking a death penalty. Jordan Dunbar hears from the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik, who was in the packed Manhattan courtroom to hear Mangione enter his plea. Nada unpacks the important developments in the hearing, and describes the scenes as Mangione supporters gather outside. If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

The murder of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson shocked America but also led to rallies and protests about the country’s complicated and sometimes controversial healthcare system. Phrases like “Deny Defend Depose” appeared on social media. The same words were chanted at protest rallies in the weeks after Luigi Mangione was arrested.

What do these slogans mean, and what have they got to do with a murder on the streets of New York?

This episode explores how the health insurance system works in the United States and hears from one woman who says she spent $40,000 trying to get treatment for her daughter. The insurance company paying for the treatment explains why they believe there were delays in the process.

If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

We just want to give you a quick update – a heads up that we have some new episodes on the way. With this podcast, we are bringing you episodes when there are developments in the case but are also bringing you episodes in which we try to unpick and explain the facts and examine and get to the bottom of conspiracy theories. On 23 April, we’ll be publishing the first of four new episodes – with the rest being published once a week for the following three weeks.

If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

US attorney general Pam Bondi has announced prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo has released a blistering statement attacking the decision. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges but has yet to enter a plea for federal charges. He is currently awaiting trial in a New York federal prison. Jordan Dunbar discusses the developments with the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik who explains the latest news, and answers a question being asked on social media; does New York have the death penalty? The Mangione Trial takes a step back to unpick the facts and conspiracies around Luigi Mangione. The reaction to the killing of Brian Thompson and his suspected killer has been unprecedented. We will be trying to understand how such a shocking case set the internet and social media alight. Why was there such a reaction to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit? We'll keep up to date with every development and explain what happens in the court process. If you have heard of a claim you want us to fact check, or a question for us to tackle, email us at [email protected].

If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

Luigi Mangione appears in court for a brief hearing which drew hundreds of supporters, some chanting his name and wearing shirts adorned with his face. Jordan Dunbar gets the latest from the courtroom, speaking to BBC correspondent Nada Tawfik and legal analyst Terri Austin, who were both at the hearing in New York. Brian Thompson was a father of two and in December 2024 he was shot dead in broad daylight on the streets of New York, America’s biggest city. He left behind a shattered, grieving family. He was CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States. Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione’s case went viral. We try to understand why such a shocking case had such a reaction online and on social media. Why was there such a response to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit? Why is there such fascination from some people with individuals who are accused of such serious crimes? We check the facts and debunk the conspiracy theories behind the case. Luigi Mangione denies the charges he faces. If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione’s case went viral. Jordan Dunbar presents a timeline of events, and with the help of guests Terri Austin and Joel Finkelstein, he examines the response to what happened. Brian Thompson was a father of two and in December 2024 he was shot dead in broad daylight on the streets of New York, America’s biggest city. He left behind a shattered, grieving family. He was CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States. We try to understand why such a shocking case had such a reaction online and on social media. Why was there such a response to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit? Why is there such fascination from some people with individuals who are accused of such serious crimes? We unpick the facts and conspiracy theories behind the case. Luigi Mangione denies the charges he faces. Guests: Terri Austin, former trial attorney for the NYC Law Department and legal analyst as well as Joel Finkelstein, director of the Network Contagion Research Institute, which analysis hate and extremism on social media. If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

Accused of murder, Luigi Mangione’s case went viral. We unpick the facts and conspiracies. Mangione has been charged with killing health insurance chief executive Brian Thompson. He was shot in broad daylight in New York in December 2024, leaving behind a shattered, grieving family. He was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States.

We will be trying to understand how such a shocking case set the internet and social media alight. Why was there such a reaction to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit? Why is there such fascination with people who are accused of such serious crimes? We will explore the US health industry and wider attitudes to capitalism and corporations.

Luigi Mangione was eventually arrested at a McDonald's in the town of Altoona in Pennsylvania. How did a wealthy American college student, a class valedictorian with a seemingly perfect future, become the subject of a nationwide manhunt? His arrest has sparked countless conspiracy theories. We will follow the case and unpack the facts.