Luigi Mangione, who was charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month, has been indicted by a New York grand jury on charges that include murder as an act of terrorism, which surprised some specialists.

The 26-year-old Mangione faces one count of first-degree murder in connection with terrorism, two counts of second-degree murder (with one also classified as terrorism), and multiple weapons charges. Additionally, he encountered new federal accusations during a court session on Thursday.

According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the charges relate to “the bold, targeted, and premeditated shooting of Brian Thompson,” as he announced at a news briefing earlier this week.

Bragg argued that the shooting “was fundamentally a murder intended to instill fear.”

Charging Mangione with first-degree murder is unusual in New York, according to legal analysts, and could be difficult to substantiate in court since it hinges on proving motive. However, experts argue that Mangione’s actions appear to align with the terrorism definition, and this charge is meant to convey a clear message that violence should not be the response to ideological disagreements. Barbara McQuade, a law professor from Michigan and a former U.S. attorney, expressed this viewpoint during her discussion with YSL News on Thursday, stating, “It’s crucial to convey that he is not a hero; he is allegedly a terrorist, not just a murderer.”

Understanding New York Law

In New York, first-degree murder charges are designated for killings that involve specific aggravating factors, like if the victim was a police officer or if torture was involved, or if the act was “in furtherance of an act of terrorism.”

Legal analyst McQuade noted that the charge against Mangione is unconventional since the incident does not adhere to the traditional definitions of terrorism.

“Usually, when we think of terrorism, it involves well-known foreign terrorist groups like al-Qaeda or explosive attacks,” she explained.

According to the statute, terrorism is defined as actions intended to:

• Instill fear or pressure on the general populace
• Influence government policy through intimidation
• Impact government actions through murder, assassination, or kidnapping

Why Terrorism Charges Were Added

McQuade believes Mangione’s actions may fit the terrorism statute if it can be shown that he sought to intimidate or coerce the insurance sector or aimed to affect government policies related to insurance.

“Prosecutors might argue that the intention was to set an example of someone from the insurance industry regarding practices harmful to consumers,” she stated.

By including terrorism in the murder charges, Bragg complicates the case since he must demonstrate not only that Mangione committed the murder, similar to standard second-degree murder cases but also that the motivations classify the act as terrorism. McQuade emphasized that this is not guaranteed to be easy to prove.

“By escalating the charges to include terrorism, Bragg may face challenges proving them,” noted former federal prosecutor Duncan Levin on MSNBC.

Still, McQuade supports Bragg’s decision to incorporate the terrorism angle, as prosecutors typically charge based on the highest offense that they believe can be supported by the evidence.

Bragg might also be considering the public’s reaction following Thompson’s murder, which has generated backlash against health insurance firms and some individuals viewing Mangione as a symbol of resistance.

“(Bragg) wishes to communicate a deterrent message,” she explained. “An essential aspect of criminal justice is deterrence, not only punishing wrongdoing or safeguarding the community but also ensuring that people recognize such actions as unacceptable.”

Some legal experts have suggested that Mangione may have been “overcharged,” which occurs when prosecution levels charges more severe than what the evidence would support.

“The victim was shot in the back of the head on a quiet sidewalk, early in the morning, suggesting this doesn’t align with what we typically consider a terroristic act,” stated criminal defense lawyer Stacy Schneider during a CNN interview.

Schneider pointed out that the public’s reaction to the shooting likely was “wholly unpredictable.”

On Thursday morning, he gave up his right to an extradition hearing and was moved from Pennsylvania, where he had been in custody since his arrest, back to New York City to deal with new allegations.

His lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a former prosecutor in Manhattan, claimed that Mangione had been “overcharged” and expressed her intention to contest the allegations.

“She has the expertise to handle a case of this nature,” Levin stated on MSNBC regarding Friedman Agnifilo.