(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day search is scheduled, appears in court for a hearing, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in New York. (Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP, Pool, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione is due in court Tuesday as his lawyers push to have his state murder charges thrown out in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They argue that the New York case and a parallel federal death penalty prosecution amount to double jeopardy.

Also to be decided: a trial date and whether the state case or federal case will go first.

It’s Mangione’s first court appearance in the state case since February. The 27-year-old Ivy League graduate has attracted a cult following as a stand-in for frustrations with the health insurance industry. Dozens of his supporters showed up to his last hearing, many wearing the Luigi video game character’s green color as a symbol of solidarity. His April arraignment in the federal case drew a similar outpouring.

If Judge Gregory Carro permits the state case to go forward, Mangione’s lawyers have said they want him to dismiss terrorism charges and bar prosecutors from using evidence collected during Mangione’s arrest last December, including a 9 mm handgun and a notebook in which authorities say he described his intent to “wack” an insurance executive.

Prosecutors want the judge to force Mangione’s lawyers to state whether they’ll pursue an insanity defense or introduce psychiatric evidence of any mental disease or defect he may have.

Carro could either rule on those requests on Tuesday, schedule additional hearings or issue written decisions at a later date.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism, in the Dec. 4, 2024, killing. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind as he arrived for an investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown. Police say “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.

Mangione was arrested five days later after he was spotted eating breakfast at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City and whisked to Manhattan by plane and helicopter. Since then, he has been held at the same Brooklyn federal jail where Sean “Diddy” Combs is locked up.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office contends that there are no double jeopardy issues because neither of Mangione’s cases has gone to trial and because the state and federal prosecutions involve different legal theories.

Mangione’s lawyers say the dueling cases have created a “legal quagmire” that makes it “legally and logistically impossible to defend against them simultaneously.”

The state charges, which carry a maximum of life in prison, allege that Mangione wanted to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population,” that is, insurance employees and investors. The federal charges allege that Mangione stalked Thompson and do not involve terror allegations.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in April that she was directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for “an act of political violence” and a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”

The Manhattan district attorney’s office quoted extensively from Mangione’s handwritten diary in a court filing seeking to uphold his state murder charges. They highlighted his desire to kill an insurance honcho and his praise for Ted Kaczynski, the late terrorist known as the Unabomber.

In the writings, prosecutors said, Mangione mused about rebelling against “the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel” and said killing an industry executive “conveys a greedy bastard that had it coming.” They also cited a confession they say he penned “To the feds,” in which he wrote that “it had to be done.”

Mangione’s “intentions were obvious from his acts, but his writings serve to make those intentions explicit,” prosecutors said in the June filing. The writings, which they sometimes described as a manifesto, “convey one clear message: that the murder of Brian Thompson was intended to bring about revolutionary change to the healthcare industry.”

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor’s Office via AP)

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors are preparing to file a capital murder charge Tuesday against the Utah man who authorities say held a “leftist ideology” and may have been “radicalized” online before he was arrested in the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson are expected to come ahead of the first court hearing since he was accused last week of shooting Kirk, a conservative activist credited with energizing the Republican youth movement and helping President Donald Trump win back the White House in 2024.

Investigators have been piecing together evidence, including a rifle and ammunition engraved with anti-fascist and meme culture messaging, found after the shooting Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem. Kirk was speaking there on one of his many campus visits where he relished debating just about everyone.

Prosecutors in Utah County are considering several charges against Robinson, the most serious being aggravated murder because it could bring the death penalty if there is a conviction.

Once charges are filed, Robinson is scheduled to appear on camera for a virtual court hearing. He has been held without bail since his arrest, and it remained unclear whether he has an attorney.

While authorities say Robinson hasn’t been cooperating with investigators, they do say his family and friends have been talking. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said over the weekend that those who know Robinson say his politics shifted left in recent years and that he spent a lot of time in the “dark corners of the internet.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said Monday on the Fox News show “Fox & Friends” that DNA evidence has linked Robinson to a towel wrapped around a rifle found near the Utah Valley campus and a screwdriver recovered from the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired.

Before the shooting, Robinson wrote in a note that he had an opportunity to take out Kirk and was going to do it, according to Patel.

Investigators are working on finding a motive for the attack, Utah’s governor said Sunday, adding that more information may come out once Robinson appears for his initial court hearing.

Cox said Robinson’s romantic partner was transgender, which some politicians have pointed to as a sign the suspect was targeting Kirk for his anti-transgender views. But authorities have not yet said whether that played a role. Kirk was shot while taking a question that touched on mass shootings, gun violence and transgender people.

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said Monday that Robinson’s partner has been cooperative. He said investigators believe Robinson acted alone during the shooting, but they also are looking at whether anyone knew of his plans beforehand.

In the days since Kirk’s assassination, Americans have found themselves facing questions about rising political violence, the deep divisions that brought the nation here and whether anything can change.

Despite calls for greater civility, some who opposed Kirk’s provocative statements about gender, race and politics criticized him after his death. Many Republicans have led the push to punish anyone who they believe dishonored him, causing both public and private workers to lose their jobs or face other consequences at work.

(Photo Courtesy of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream in Bridgewater)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bridgewater, PA) Bruster’s Ice Cream in Bridgewater closed its location in Bridgewater at 6 P.M. yesterday to reopen its new building on 1515 Riverside Drive in Bridgewater to sell its famous ice cream and various desserts starting today at 11 A.M. That new location also has a drive through for more convenience and so you can pick up your dessert for on the go travel.

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Tom Young from 1st Consultants, Inc. in Beaver will join Scott Tady on “The Beaver County Radio Morning Show” at 9:05 AM.

This month Tom will discuss “The Secret of Life Influence & Wealth Insurance”.

Change your mindset and you change the future.

Tune in on Tuesday, September 26, 2025. The special multi media presentation begins at 9:10 A.M. on Beaver County Radio.

You can participate in the show by calling 724-843-1888 or 724-774-1888. You can also ask your questions on Facebook Live.

Click the picture below on Tuesday’s showtime of 9:10 A.M. to be directed to the WBVP and WMBA Facebook page where the special multi media simulcast will be streamed on Facebook Live.

(Photos Below and Headline Photo Courtesy of the Cranberry Township Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) All schools within the Seneca Valley School District in Cranberry Township are currently on secure status after Cranberry Township police notified that district about “suspicious activity involving an individual” in Cranberry Township. According to Seneca Valley School District and a recent message on its website, there is no direct or immediate threat to the schools, but they were placed in secure status out of an abundance of caution and there will be an increased police presence in and around the schools, as well as in parts of Cranberry Township. Secure status means that outdoor activities like recess will be indoors and there will be limited public access to the buildings. Cranberry Township police confirm the person was seen close to Haine School “raising concern among staff and passing motorists.” The Cranberry Township Police Department is trying to identify this indvidual. Pictures of this individual can be found below:

If you have information about this incident or recognize this person, call 724-776-5180 or emailing tips@cranberrytownship.org.

Staff Reports

HOPEWELL TWP. — A full day of worship featuring many talents from Beaver County will take place Sept. 20 at Hopewell Community Park.

Staff Reports

BEAVER – Grape news: Wine time returns soon to the main street of Beaver.

The Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce’s invites adults to its highly anticipated annual Wine Fest from 3-7 p.m. Sept. 27 on Third Street in downtown Beaver.

Visitors will enjoy an afternoon of exquisite wine tastings, delicious food pairings, and shopping with local stores and vendors.

Ticket Options:

• $30 Presale – Includes wine tastings and a commemorative wine glass
• $75 Presale VIP – Includes reserved seating, a private tasting from a premier winery, a charcuterie box, and live music
• $35 Day-of Admission – Wine tastings only
• $40 Day-of Admission – Wine tastings plus a commemorative wine glass

Tickets are limited, so people are advised to secure tickets ahead of time for the best pricing and to guarantee receiving an exclusive keepsake wine glass. The first 1,000 guests will receive a complimentary wine bag.

New features to the Wine Fest this year:

• A premium VIP Experience
• Exclusive event merchandise for purchase
• A dedicated “Man Cave” area with specialty offerings

The Beaver Wine Fest has become a signature event in the region, uniting Pennsylvania wineries, artisans and community members for a celebration of local flavor, culture and community spirit.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1439988748109?aff=oddtdtcreator

(File Photo of a Scam Alert Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) According to a Facebook post on Saturday from the City of Aliquippa Police Department, there have been recent phone scams going on in the Beaver County area. The scammer(s) who are calling state to victims that bank officials and employees and others are trying to steal their money out of their accounts and the scammer(s) try to persuade them to go to the bank and withdraw thousands of dollars. These scams have resulted in more than $300,000 being taken from victims in the Beaver County area. The scammer(s) are also letting the victims know that their money will be taken as evidence by a police officer who will meet them in person. There have also been victims who have left their money to be taken as evidence in their vehicles that were unlocked. The scammer(s) have also persuaded  victims to “protect their assets” by putting the money into Bit Coin. The scammer(s) are also stating that the bank and financial institution and their local police department of the victims are all “in” on the theft and that the victims should not call their bank and financial institution and their local police department. The City of Aliquippa Police Department suggests that if you feel that you experienced a legitimate scam, either see your local police department in person or call your local police department at their phone number that is listed. You should also not give any of your personal information to these scammers or obey their instructions because this is a scam.

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle report that forty-four-year-old Jason Fronius of New Castle was arrested for possessing drugs in New Castle on September 1st, 2025. According to police, a traffic stop on a pedal cycle was attempted by Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle in the area of West Grant Street that day, however, Fronius fled and was subsequently apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Charges against Fronius will be filed against him.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor’s Office via AP)

OREM, Utah (AP) — DNA on a towel wrapped around a rifle found near where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated matched that of the 22-year-old accused in the killing, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Monday.

Investigators also have used DNA evidence to link the suspect, Tyler Robinson, with a screwdriver recovered from the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired, Patel told Fox News Channel on Monday.

Authorities in Utah are preparing to file capital murder charges against Robinson as early as Tuesday in the killing of Kirk, a dominant figure in conservative politics who became a confidant of President Donald Trump after founding Arizona-based Turning Point USA, one of the nation’s largest political organizations.

Kirk, who brought young, conservative evangelical Christians into politics, was shot Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University during one of his many campus stops. The shooting raised fears about increasing political violence in a deeply polarized United States.

Officials have said Robinson carried a hatred for Kirk and ascribed to a “leftist ideology” that had grown in recent years. Robinson’s family and friends said he spent large amounts of time scrolling the “dark corners of the internet,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Sunday.

Patel told Fox News that Robinson had written in a note before the shooting that he had an opportunity to take out Kirk and was going to do it. Investigators were able to recover the note’s contents after it had been destroyed, the FBI director said, paraphrasing from the note without revealing more details.

Authorities said Robinson has not been cooperating with law enforcement. They say that he may have been “radicalized” online and that ammunition found in the gun used to kill Kirk included anti-fascist and meme-culture language engravings. Court records show that one bullet casing had the message, “Hey, fascist! Catch!”

Robinson was arrested late Thursday near where he grew up around St. George, in the southwestern corner of Utah between Las Vegas and Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Tributes to Kirk continue across the country. A line of mourners wrapped around the Kennedy Center in Washington for a vigil on Sunday, and there were moments of silence at several professional sporting events.

Vice President JD Vance, who counted Kirk as a close friend, planned to serve as a substitute host on Monday for Kirk’s talk show on Rumble, a streaming platform.

“Please join me as I pay tribute to my friend,” Vance wrote on social media.