Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg surprised some observers this week when he announced a first-degree murder charge against Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Ivy League computer whiz accused of assassinating a health insurance executive in an ambush attack outside a New York City hotel.
Under New York law, which differs in this regard from many other states, second-degree murder is the normal charge for a premeditated slaying. First-degree charges have additional requirements, such as the victim being a police officer or a murder involving torture.
In Mangione’s case, prosecutors allege the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was an act of terror, and legal experts tell Fox News Digital that could be a stretch.
A surveillance image released by the NYPD shows the suspect in the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson Dec. 4, 2024. (NYPD Crimestoppers)
Mangione is due back in court next month.
Edward Kim, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Thursday the state murder case would proceed before a federal case. Mangione also faces firearms and fake ID charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested by the Altoona Police Department after a McDonald’s worker called 911, recognizing him from a wanted poster during an interstate manhunt.
“Luigi Mangione allegedly conducted the carefully premeditated and targeted execution of Brian Thompson to incite national debates,” Assistant FBI Director James Dennehy said Thursday. “This alleged plot demonstrates a cavalier attitude towards humanity – deeming murder an appropriate recourse to satiate personal grievances.”
