Luigi Mangione sought to ‘sow terror’ in UnitedHealth government killing, prosecutor says

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Luigi Mangione sought to “sow terror” by capturing useless UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) government Brian Thompson on a Manhattan avenue this month, a New York prosecutor mentioned on Tuesday in asserting Mangione had been indicted for homicide.

A grand jury indicted Mangione on 11 counts, together with first-degree homicide and homicide as against the law of terrorism, Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg instructed reporters. Mangione, 26, would face a compulsory sentence of life in jail with out the potential of parole if convicted on all counts.

“This was a daunting, well-planned, focused homicide that was supposed to trigger shock and a spotlight and intimidation,” Bragg instructed reporters. “The intent was to sow terror.”

Mangione’s protection lawyer in New York, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, declined to remark.

Ivy League-educated Mangione was charged with homicide on Dec. 9 for the killing of Thompson exterior a Manhattan lodge earlier than an organization convention, following a five-day manhunt.

Mangione is presently being held on gun fees in Pennsylvania, the place he was arrested final week at a McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) restaurant within the metropolis of Altoona.

Bragg mentioned he had indications that Mangione could waive his proper to contest his extradition to New York. A listening to over Mangione’s extradition is scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania.

‘NO HEROISM’

The killing of Thompson has ignited an outpouring of anger from Individuals struggling to obtain and pay for medical care.

Individuals pay extra for well being care than every other nation, with spending on insurance coverage premiums, out-of-pocket co-payments, prescription drugs and hospital companies on the rise in recent times, authorities information exhibits.

The phrases “deny,” “defend” and “depose” have been written on shell casings discovered on the Thompson homicide scene, a number of information retailers reported, evoking the title of a e-book essential of the insurance coverage business.

Mangione has been celebrated in some circles, and greater than a thousand donations have poured into a web based fundraiser for his authorized protection.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned any try and rationalize Mangione’s alleged actions was “vile.”

“There is no such thing as a heroism in what Mangione did,” Tisch instructed reporters. “We do not have fun murders and we do not lionize the killing of anybody.”

The indictment accused Mangione of murdering Thompson with the intent to “affect the coverage of a unit of presidency by intimidation or coercion.”

Mangione suffered from continual again ache that affected his each day life, in keeping with mates and social media posts, although it’s unclear whether or not his personal well being performed a task within the capturing.

UnitedHealth Group mentioned final week Mangione was not a buyer of the well being insurer.