Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect within the New York Metropolis killing of UnitedHealth govt Brian Thompson, is escorted after an extradition listening to at Blair County Courtroom Home in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 10, 2024.
Eduardo Munoz | Reuters
A New York grand jury indicted Luigi Mangione on fees of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office stated Tuesday.
Mangione, 26, is charged with one rely of first-degree homicide in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree homicide, one in every of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism.
He’s additionally charged within the Manhattan Supreme Courtroom indictment with a number of counts of prison possession of a weapon, a single rely of prison possession of a weapon within the second diploma and possession of a solid New Jersey driver’s license.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is anticipated to file paperwork looking for Mangione’s extradition from Pennsylvania, the place he has been held since he was arrested final week at a McDonald’s.
A supply acquainted with the scenario advised NBC Information on Tuesday that Mangione plans to waive extradition, which might enable him to be transported to New York inside days.
Mangione, a double College of Pennsylvania graduate who comes from a outstanding Baltimore-area household, faces a most attainable sentence of life in jail with out parole if convicted.
He’s accused of fatally capturing Thompson with a 9 mm handgun outfitted with a silencer on Dec. 4 outdoors the Hilton lodge in midtown Manhattan.
Thompson, 50, was headed into the lodge for an investor day occasion for his firm’s mum or dad, UnitedHealth Group.
“This was a killing to evoke terror,” Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg stated at a information convention to announce the 11-count indictment. “This was not an odd killing … this was extraordinary.”
Bragg referred to as the slaying “brazen” and “focused.”
The DA stated Mangione arrived in New York Metropolis on a bus on the Port Authority terminal on Nov. 24 with the intent of murdering Thompson and spent the next days staying at a hostel on the Higher West Aspect utilizing the identify “Mark Rosario” with a faux ID.
Mangione left that hostel at simply after 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 4 and traveled to midtown, the place he waited for Thompson to seem outdoors the Hilton for about six minutes earlier than crossing the road, pulling out a handgun and firing, hitting the CEO as soon as within the again and as soon as within the leg, Bragg stated.
Mangione then fled on an e-bike and later a taxi that took him to Washington Heights in higher Manhattan.
He additionally stated “we’ve got indications” that Mangione will waive his proper to an extradition listening to on Thursday in Pennsylvania, and consent to be despatched to New York to face the homicide case.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (L) and Luigi Mangione (R).
Supply: UnitedHealthcare (L) | NYPD (R)
New York Metropolis Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated within the practically two weeks since Thompson’s killing, “we’ve got seen a stunning and appalling celebration of cold-blooded homicide.”
Tisch was referencing the truth that Mangione has turn out to be a folks hero to some individuals who praised Thompson’s slaying due to criticism that his firm, the biggest personal well being insurer within the U.S., denied profit claims by prospects at a excessive price.
“Social media has erupted with reward for this cowardly assault. Individuals ghoulishly plastered posters threatening the CEOs, different CEOs, with an ‘x’ over Mr. Thompson’s image as if he was some form of a sick trophy,” Tisch stated.
“These are the threats of a lawless, violent mob who would commerce in their very own vigilantism for the rule of legislation that protects us all.”
“Let me say this plainly: There isn’t any heroism in what Mangione did,” the commissioner stated. “This was a mindless act of violence. It was a chilly and calculated crime that stole a life and put New Yorkers in danger. We do not have a good time murders, and we do not lionize the killing of anybody.”
In a press release to CNBC, UnitedHealth Group stated, “This is a vital step ahead for looking for justice within the homicide of our colleague, Brian Thompson. We’ll work with legislation enforcement authorities to assist deliver closure for Brian’s household, buddies, and colleagues.”
Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after police responded to a name of a suspicious particular person on the restaurant.
He allegedly gave officers a faux New Jersey ID that’s believed to be the identical one he used to test right into a Manhattan hostel in late November.
Police discovered a gun, a silencer, and 9mm ammunition in his backpack. The gun matched three shell casings discovered outdoors the capturing scene in Manhattan, and Mangione’s fingerprints matched ones discovered on a water bottle and snack bar left close to the scene, police stated.
The shell casings discovered on the scene had the phrases “deny,” and “depose,” written on them, whereas an unfired bullet had the phrase “delay” written on it, the DA’s workplace stated. The phrases match these used to explain ways of well being insurers and different insurance coverage corporations to disclaim claims by prospects.
Prosecutors in Manhattan, hours after Mangione’s arrest, filed a prison grievance towards him charging him with second-degree homicide, prison possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a silencer, and possession of a solid instrument.
The grand jury indictment handed up Tuesday supersedes that grievance.
Mangione, who’s being held in a Pennsylvania jail with out bail on gun and forgery fees, is because of seem Thursday morning in Blair County Courtroom for 2 separate hearings.
The primary session will probably be a preliminary listening to on the state prison fees there. The second listening to, with a distinct choose, will take care of extradition proceedings.
Mangione was visited within the jail in Huntingdon on Friday by his New York prison protection lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, and her husband and legislation associate, Marc Agnifilo.
