Luigi Mangione has appointed a death penalty expert to his legal team

The case of alleged hot assassin Luigi Mangione has taken a dramatic turn with his latest court appearance indicating he could face execution over the death of a top healthcare boss.

The case of Luigi Mangione, the man dubbed the “hot assassin” after CCTV used in his manhunt went viral, has a appointed a death penalty expert to his legal team.

Mangione’s case was briefly mentioned before a federal judge in New York this week.

He stands accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in front of the Hilton in Midtown Manhattan.

Luigi Mangione gave a small smile leaving court in December in response to the crowd of supporters gathered. Picture: AFP

It took authorities almost a week to catch up with the 26-year-old after he allegedly fled the scene in December.

He was finally tracked down in a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania but not before he amassed a global fanbase due to both his smouldering good looks and the disenchantment many Americans have with their healthcare system.

Luigi Mangione is facing the death penalty. Picture: AP Photo

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all 11 federal charges he is facing including murder through use of a firearm.

It is this charge which makes him eligible for the death penalty.

Judge Katherine Parker made an order this week approving Avraham Markowitz’s appointment to Mangione’s legal team which continues to be headed up by lead counsel Karen Friedman Agnifilo.

Luigi Mangione will fight the charges with the help of his legal team headed by lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo. Picture: AFP

Mr Markowitz is considered one of the country’s foremost experts in capital cases.

Ms Agnifilo’s office gave a statement on the development to America’s ABC News.

“The Agnifilo Intrater team is pleased to have Avi Moskowitz lend his considerable expertise in death penalty cases to Mr Mangione’s federal case as ‘learned counsel’,” the statement read.

“The charges could not be more serious and our client needs every resource at his disposal to fight these unprecedented charges in three jurisdictions.”

He is separately charged in New York with a slew of state charges including killing as an act of terrorism.

Originally published as Luigi Mangione has appointed a death penalty expert to his legal team