CNN By Kaitlan Collins, CNN (CNN) — Luigi Mangione has retained a high-powered New York attorney to represent him as he faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, CNN has learned. Karen Friedman Agnifilo will represent him in New York. Friedman Agnifilo previously worked as the chief assistant district
I think it’s interesting that they’re only trying for second degree.
New York was one of the first states to bring back the death penalty so alongside it they made the definition of first degree murder very narrow. it includes killing a cop, murder for hire, and murder as an act of terrorism (they could probably technically argue for that one but I’d imagine theres clear precedent against it).
death penalty was abolished again in 2004
Weird how one civilian killing another somehow has a different meaning just because of the jobs they work. Seems pretty fucking stupid if you ask me. If it was going to be a harsher penalty(,) then I’d expect it to be a(n) actually beneficial job that people should respect like a pediatrician or janitor.
(edited for grammar)
I’ve always found that so stupid yeah. “Cop killing” is always painted as this ultimate evil and so much worse than killing a regular person, especially in all the copaganda shows. But theoretically the whole reason cops have so much legal leeway and can use so much force and whatnot is because they’re taking on a risk by putting themselves in the line of duty (even though you’re actually more likely to die as a pizza delivery driver).
If you view cops as mostly there to protect the interests of the rich, it makes a lot more sense. Being a cop gets special privileges because it’s the singular most important job to keep poor people from taking from the rich.
The system will always protect itself.
Legal Eagle had a video about the indictment, first degree in NY requires an intensifying factor, standard murder is only 2nd degree.