Luigi Mangione charged with murder as an act of terrorism over alleged killing of CEO Brian Thompson
The US man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors say, as they work to bring him to a New York court from a Pennsylvania jail.
Mr Mangione was charged on Tuesday with 11 counts, including one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, following the fatal shooting of Mr. Thompson on a Manhattan street earlier in December.
The charges allege that Mr Mangione murdered Thompson with the intent to “influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Mangione already was charged with murder in the December 4 killing of Mr Thompson, but the indictment could help move along procedural steps towards extraditing the suspect.
The New York lawyer for Mr Mangione hasn’t commented on the case.
Mr Thompson, 50, was shot dead on a Manhattan street as he walked to a hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare — the United States’ biggest medical insurer — was holding an investor conference.
After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was arrested on December 9 after being spotted in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
New York police officials have said Mr Mangione was carrying the gun used in Thompson’s killing, a passport and various fake IDs, including the one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Mr Mangione would face 15-years to face life in prison.
If found guilty of first-degree murder, Mr Mangione would face a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
More to come
- With AP, Reuters
- With Reuters
