[Text/Observer Network Chen Sijia] In December last year, Brian Thompson (Brian Thompson), CEO of UnitedHealth Group's UnitedHealth Insurance, was shot dead on the streets of New York. However, due to many problems with American insurance companies that had long provoked strong dissatisfaction among the American public, netizens in the U.S. instead celebrated and viewed Luigi Mangione (Luigi Mangione), the shooter, as a "folk hero."

Recently, there has been new progress in this case. According to CNN's report on April 1st, U.S. Attorney General Bondi has instructed Manhattan Acting Federal Prosecutor Matthew Poldolski to seek the death penalty for Mangione. Mangione's lawyer criticized Bondi's decision as politically motivated and is discussing related issues with the Department of Justice.

In a statement, Bondi called it a "cold-blooded murder meticulously planned" and a "political act of violence," which had a significant impact on American society. "After careful consideration, I have instructed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case to implement President Trump's agenda to stop violent crimes and make America safe again," Bondi said.

The statement mentioned that this decision is consistent with the memorandum issued by Bondi after he assumed office as Attorney General in February, which is to restore federal executions and rescind the Biden administration's order to suspend executions. At that time, Bondi wrote in the memorandum: "From now on, the Department of Justice will act according to legal requirements, including seeking the death penalty in appropriate cases and swiftly executing relevant judgments in accordance with the law."

In response, Karen Friedman Agnifilo (Karen Friedman Agnifilo), Mangione's lawyer, responded that she is discussing this decision with the U.S. Department of Justice. She criticized that the Department of Justice's decision to seek the death penalty for Mangione shows that the department has "gone from dysfunctional to barbaric."

Agnifilo stated in the statement: "Their decision to execute Luigi is politically motivated, contrary to the recommendations of local federal prosecutors, the law, and historical precedents. While the federal government claims to prevent murders, it is implementing a premeditated, state-sanctioned murder of Luigi. Through this approach, they are defending this broken, immoral, and vicious health insurance industry that continues to intimidate the American people."

On February 21st, local time, Mangione attended a hearing in Manhattan, New York. Video screenshot.

On December 4th, 2024, UnitedHealth Insurance CEO Thompson was shot dead outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, New York. Five days later, the shooter Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania. When arrested, he carried a handwritten statement saying: "These parasites deserve what they get. I apologize for the conflicts and traumas caused, but it had to be done."

Mangione was then returned to New York for trial. He faces 11 charges in New York State, including one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. At the hearing held on December 23rd, 2024, Mangione pleaded not guilty to the charges. Currently, Mangione is being held at the federal prison in Brooklyn, New York City.

However, due to the deep-seated problems in the U.S. health insurance industry and the damage to public medical rights, Mangione is seen by many Americans as a "folk hero" and a symbol of resistance. Many American netizens celebrated Thompson's death and defended Mangione on social media. CNN reported that supporters have raised $700,000 in legal fees for Mangione.

Mangione's defense team hired Avraham Moskowitz (Avraham Moskowitz), an experienced lawyer for death penalty cases, in February this year. Moskowitz has represented over 50 defendants facing the death penalty in New York.

CBS pointed out that the public anger may stem from high medical costs, expensive premiums, and insurance companies' disproportionate compensation rates or even refusal to pay. Some surveys found that medical-related debt is a major cause of household bankruptcy in the U.S.

Gallup polls show that 81% of Americans were dissatisfied with their healthcare costs in August 2023, setting a 16-year high.

Mangione's killing of Thompson also unsettled the U.S. insurance industry. Some companies expressed concerns about the personal safety of executives. Fox Business News reported that following the incident, UnitedHealth Group and another insurance giant CVS removed photos of management teams from their corporate websites.

On February 21st, local time, Chip Terhune (Chip Terhune), CEO of Oregon's SAIF Corporation, received gunfire at his residence. No casualties were reported. Surveillance footage showed that a masked suspect carried out the shooting early in the morning and then drove away. The Oregon police are still pursuing this suspect.

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Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488553819765228047/

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