(NewsNation) — Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani warns that the terrorism and first-degree murder charges against UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione are “a risky move” that could complicate the prosecution.
A grand jury indicted Mangione on Monday on first-degree murder and terrorism charges, a case that has sparked widespread public attention and debate.
“I understand why Bragg’s office did this, but now, it raises the question as to why Mangione did this,” Rahmani said on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” “It raises the element of why, and you have to get into Mangione’s intent and his history.”
Mangione, 26, is accused of shooting Thompson on Dec. 4 with a 3D-printed ghost gun. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Mangione with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and weapons- and forgery-related offenses.
The charges include a terrorism count, which Rahmani noted requires proving “intent to intimidate the public or influence government policy.” This classification could increase the potential prison sentence from 15 years to 20 to 25 years without parole.
The case has sparked a national conversation about health care industry practices. On social media in particular, some users gloated about the killing, a reaction they framed as rooted in their enmity for the health insurance industry.
“I have never, ever seen an accused murderer with this much sympathy and support on traditional and social media,” Rahmani said, warning that this could potentially lead to a jury nullification risk.
“You have to get 12 out of 12 jurors unanimously to convict, and this case presents a very real possibility of a holdout juror, a stealth juror that tries to get on this panel to send a message to executives of the health care industry,” Rahmani said.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned what she called a “shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder.”
Mangione was captured in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a five-day search and is currently fighting extradition. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday that could return him to New York City.
The defendant, described as coming from a wealthy background, has garnered a surprising level of public support, which Rahmani suggests might stem from his perceived image as an attractive, intelligent and now-famous individual.
His defense attorney, Karen Friedman, is expected to challenge the extradition, though Rahmani noted that such challenges typically only verify the defendant’s identity.
“She’s going to focus her attention on those New York charges,” Rahmani said.
