Suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooter Facing Federal Charges Of Murder, Stalking
Key Facts
An unsealed federal criminal complaint showed Mangione is being charged with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearm offense, CNN reported.
Federal prosecutors reportedly claimed jurisdiction in the case because of Mangione’s “travel in interstate commerce” and “use of interstate facilities,” referring to him travelling to New York and him allegedly using a cell phone and internet to plan the shooting, CNN reported.
Mangione appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon and his legal team said he would not seek bail and will remain detained, multiple outlets reported, and the hearing ended after 15 minutes.
The federal criminal complaint gives more insight into the notebook that was found on Mangione at the time of his arrest: Mangione reportedly wrote about his intent to “wack” a CEO of an insurance company at its investor conference and wrote, “this investor conference is a true windfall ... and — most importantly — the message becomes self evident,” according to the Associated Press.
Mangione already faces weapons-related charges in Pennsylvania—where he was recognized and arrested—and first- and second-degree murder charges in New York where the alleged crime was committed, but where the death penalty is not available.
What We Don’t Know
Whether federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty. The death penalty is not an option in New York nor Pennsylvania, and The New York Times reported any decision about the death penalty will likely be made by the Justice Department after President-elect Donald Trump is in office.
Chief Critic
“The federal government's reported decision to pile on top of an already overcharged first-degree murder and state terror case is highly unusual and raises serious constitutional and statutory double jeopardy concerns. We are ready to fight these charges in whatever court they are brought,” Mangione’s lawyer in his New York case, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said in a statement to CBS Thursday before the charges were unsealed. Forbes has reached out to Agnifilo for an updated comment.
Key Background
UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, Thompson, was killed on Dec. 4 outside of the New York Hilton Midtown at which the company was set to hold an investor’s meeting. Police said the killing was “a brazen targeted attack” and released photos of the suspect nationwide, though his face was largely covered in most photos. Mangione was recognized in a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and the staff called police who eventually arrested Mangione. At the time, Mangione had a gun and silencer on him similar to what officials thought was used in the killing, along with the same fake identification they believe the shooter used to stay at a hostel in New York City and “written admissions of the crime.” Pennsylvania prosecutors charged Mangione with charges related to forgery, firearms being carried without a license, tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of crime and false identification to law enforcement authorities. Mangione is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a Maryland native, though his last known address was in Hawaii. He had been reported missing in San Francisco by his mother two weeks before the shooting occurred, and had reportedly been out of touch with his family for months. Officials have not named an exact motive of Mangione, but said the writings on him indicated “some ill will toward corporate America.” The writings reportedly said: “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.”
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