(NewsNation) — According to prosecutors, the diary of Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, indicates that Mangione specifically targeted Brian Thompson.
On Thursday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office unveiled the document, which prosecutors have occasionally labeled as a manifesto. They assert that the document discloses Mangione’s reflections and specific plans.
Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson in the back and the leg in front of the Hilton Hotel in New York City last December.
Details from Luigi Mangione’s handwritten diary
In the notebook, he wrote, “So, say you want to rebel against the deadly, greed-fueled health insurance cartel. Do you bomb the HQ? No. Bombs=terrorism.”
Mangione allegedly revealed that he wanted to kill Thompson to “prove a political point about the health insurance industry” and “extract human life force for money.”
The manifesto also acknowledged Mangione had previously planned a bombing to generate headlines, prosecutors said.
In March, court documents revealed Mangione was carrying several dangerous items at the time of his arrest. They included guns, a silencer, a knife, a phone charger, a wallet, chrome drill bits, duct tape, a passport, zip ties, headphones, a memory device and toiletries.
Mangione’s lawyer had filed a motion that accused police of unlawfully detaining him. His defense team argued the police had surrounded Mangione and denied him any way to leave, amounting to an investigative detention.
The motion stated this type of holding has Fourth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment and state law protections.
Luigi Mangione hyped up by media
Mangione, while awaiting trial, has received extensive media coverage from various outlets and social platforms.
After his arrest, news reports attempted to piece together his supposed motivations. Some suggested that a back injury might have fueled his resentment against the health care industry, however UnitedHealthcare said the company had never insured him.
In the months following the deadly shooting and subsquest arrest, Mangione has also gained a cultlike following from fans.
Luigi Mangione’s actions fueled anger towards health care system
Mangione’s actions turned the spotlight on people wanting to speak out against health care systems.
The outpouring of rage follows a two-decade period in which medical prices have risen faster than overall inflation.
In addition, the health care delivery system — hospitals and providers — was decimated by COVID and has been chronically understaffed, with professionals facing significant burnout and exhaustion.
Luigi Mangione faces life in prison
Mangione is facing state murder charges that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces federal charges that allege he stalked Thompson. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Mangione for what she deemed “an act of political violence.”
He is due back in state court on June 26. Mangione’s lawyers have requested that his handcuffs and bulletproof vest be removed during the hearing.
Mangione’s next federal court date is Dec. 5, a day after the first anniversary of Thompson’s death.
