Luigi Mangione has pleaded not guilty to a federal murder charge in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The 26-year-old appeared in Manhattan federal court on Friday, flanked by his attorneys, and leaned into a tabletop microphone to enter his plea. When U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett asked if he understood the charges, Mangione replied, “yes.” Asked how he would plead, he responded simply, “not guilty,” before taking his seat.

Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a well-known Maryland real estate family, faces murder charges in both federal and state court. He could face life in prison if convicted.

While prosecutors had anticipated the state case would proceed to trial first, Mangione’s defense team indicated Friday they prefer the federal case to take precedence due to the potential for a death penalty sentence. Capital cases tend to proceed more slowly, given their complexity and the legal safeguards involved.

Mangione is scheduled to return to federal court on December 5—one day after the first anniversary of Thompson’s death. His next appearance in the state case is set for June 26. No trial dates have been set in either case.