A federal grand jury in the United States has formally charged Luigi Mangione with murder with a firearm, a crime that can be punished with the death penalty, for the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to The New York Times.
The grand jury indictment, issued on Thursday, April 17, coincides with the one initially presented by the New York District Attorney and includes four charges against Mangione: murder with a firearm, use of firearms, and two counts of harassment.
In the words of the District Attorney, "This is a crucial step in the pursuit of justice for Brian Thompson and his loved ones. We are committed to carrying out a fair and thorough judicial process in this case."
Mangione, for his part, has stated to the media that he is innocent of the charges and asserted that he will prove his innocence during the trial. "I am devastated by the loss of Brian Thompson, but I had nothing to do with his tragic death. I believe that the truth will come to light and justice will be served," he stated.
Mangione's defense has not yet presented its arguments but has indicated that they plan to challenge the evidence presented by the District Attorney, claiming that it was obtained illegally. The case continues to develop, and trial dates are expected to be set in the coming weeks.
