Luigi Mangione has been indicted on federal charges over the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO.
Brian Thompson died in Manhattan, New York City, after an alleged shooting on 4 December last year.
The 26-year-old has been charged with two counts of stalking, one count of murder through use of a firearm and a firearm offence for allegedly using a silencer.
Mangione is accused of shooting Mr Thompson in the back as he walked to a conference.
Officials allege that Mangione targeted Mr Thompson, who was the chief executive of the United States‘ largest private health insurance company.
An extensive manhunt followed, with Mangione arrested in Pennsylvania on 9 December.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has indicated prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the federal case.
Federal offences carry harsher penalties than state offences and are prosecuted by a different level of government.
In an announcement, she said: “I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.”
But lawyers representing Mangione argue the death penalty is being sought as “a political stunt”.
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Mangione has also been charged in New York on state counts of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, as well as two counts of second-degree murder.
He is also charged with weapons counts and a count of using a forged instrument.
He has pleaded not guilty in the state case.
