(NewsNation) — Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, waived his extradition in Pennsylvania court and was transported to New York on Thursday.
The 26-year-old is facing state charges of first-degree murder in the furtherance of terrorism, as well as two counts of second-degree murder brought by New York prosecutors.
Mangione is facing federal charges, including murder through the use of a firearm as well as a separate firearms charge. He was also charged with two counts of stalking, according to the federal complaint that was unsealed on Thursday.
In a news conference on Thursday unrelated to Mangione’s case, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg that he would allow federal prosecutors with the Southern District of New York to “speak for itself” about plans regarding Mangione.
He added that generally speaking, state prosecutions and federal prosecutions proceed “as parallel matters”. Bragg said his office is in coversations with its law enforcement counterparts.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione’s New York lawyer, said she is ready to fight these additional charges, citing statutory double jeopardy concerns.
Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks said Pennsylvania authorities intend to keep their own case against Mangione active, though court proceedings in New York will come first.
Mangione agreed to delay a Pennsylvania hearing until Feb.24. Bragg said the state case will proceed parallel to the federal one.
As he left the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg with a group of NYPD officers Thursday, Mangione did not say anything.
Speaking to reporters in Pennsylvania, defense attorney Tom Dickey said his mood hasn’t changed “one bit.”
“We’re going to move forward with a vigorous defense of these charges,” Dickey said.
If convicted, Mangione could be sentenced to life in prison.
Shooting of Brian Thompson
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot just before 7 a.m. Dec. 4 in front of a Hilton hotel while walking to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor meeting in New York City.
The words “deny,” “depose” and “defend” were written on the shell casings found at the scene. It is an apparent reference to the title of the book “Delay, Deny, Defend,” which is about the ways insurance companies reject requests for medical coverage deemed necessary by doctors.
Authorities arrested Mangione at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Dec. 9. With him at the time were a mask, firearm, suppressor and fake New Jersey ID that connected him to the shooting, police said.
Mangione also had a manifesto and a spiral notebook with a “to-do” list. In the manifesto, Mangione wrote that he acted alone and that he “apologizes for any strife or traumas, but it had to be done.”
“Frankly, these parasites had it coming,” he wrote.
Mangione case reactions
Thompson’s death and Mangione’s arrest have sparked strong reactions both online and in real life.
Before Thursday’s hearing, some supporters of Mangione were at the courthouse holding signs saying “Luigi the people hear you,” “Murder for profit is terrorism” and “Free Luigi.”
At the Altoona McDonald’s where Mangione was apprehended by police, employees told NewsNation there have been ongoing threats to their lives, leading them to get two security guards.
Those who live near the McDonald’s say the arrest was quiet, and they had no idea what was happening until it showed up on the news.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
