NY prosecutors turn to 9/11-era terrorism law to charge Mangionepublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time
Bernd Debusmann Jr
US Reporter
Image source, ReutersAlvin Bragg (C) said Mangione’s “intent was to sow terror” by shooting Brian Thompson
Prosecutors in New York are using a little-known, decades-old anti-terrorism law in their case against Luigi Mangione, which could potentially mean a harsher sentence if he is convicted.
The charges, known as murder as an act of terrorism, apply when a crime is committed “with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion or affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping”.
If convicted, the terrorism designation automatically means a harsher sentence.
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As an example, the Associated Press noted that an assault, normally punishable by up to 25 years’ imprisonment, would carry a potential life sentence.
According to New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Mangione’s “intent was to sow terror” by gunning down Brian Thompson in a busy part of Manhattan on a weekday morning.
New York officials have also cited the anti-corporate message of Mangione’s writings as warranting the terrorism designation.
