Federal grand jury in New York indicts Luigi Mangione in case eligible for the death penalty.

A federal grand jury in Manhattan has indicted Luigi Mangione in a high-profile case that may lead to the death penalty for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. According to court documents filed on Thursday, Mangione faces multiple charges, including two counts of stalking, murder through the use of a firearm, and a firearms offense linked to the fatal shooting that occurred on December 4 outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

Mangione, who is expected to appear in court to enter a plea on Friday, has had his case assigned to Judge Margaret Garnett of Manhattan Federal Court. Judge Garnett, noted for her previous roles as chief of the city Department of Investigation and deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, is tasked with overseeing these serious allegations, which carry the potential for capital punishment.

Before the indictment was presented to the grand jury, Mangione was subjected to an expedited extradition process from Pennsylvania. He was taken into custody by federal authorities during a transfer to state-level charges managed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. This dramatic turn of events has drawn significant public attention.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced earlier this month that federal prosecutors would seek the death penalty against Mangione, marking him as the first individual targeted for capital punishment since the return of former President Trump to power. Trump has articulated intentions for a more aggressive application of the death penalty, particularly concerning those involved in severe crimes, including undocumented immigrants.

Mangione has entered a plea of not guilty to first-degree murder and related terror offenses in a separate state case, which could result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole if he is convicted. The victim, Brian Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two from Minnesota, was killed as he was arriving early for an annual investor conference in December. Mangione’s arrest occurred five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a nationwide manhunt.

In a development that has further intensified public interest, Mangione has garnered support from individuals upset with the high costs associated with the U.S. healthcare system. Reports indicate that he allegedly authored a manifesto that reflects his animosity toward the healthcare industry. Evidence from the crime scene, such as shell casings, reportedly bore inscriptions including the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” which suggest a grievance against the industry’s practices.

As this case unfolds, the implications surrounding capital punishment, healthcare issues, and the judicial process are likely to provoke significant public discourse. The proceedings against Mangione continue to develop, with many waiting to see how both the legal system and the public will respond.