Federal Judge Blocks Death Penalty in Mangione Case
1 hour ago
A federal judge has ruled that prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed a federal murder charge against Mangione, finding it was legally flawed. The decision blocks the Trump administration’s effort to pursue capital punishment in the high-profile case.
Garnett left in place federal stalking charges, which carry a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges related to Thompson’s death.
Thompson was shot and killed in December 2024 as he walked to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan. Prosecutors had described the killing as a premeditated assassination.
While the death penalty is no longer an option at the federal level, Mangione still faces life-in-prison sentences if convicted. State murder charges remain pending, and future court dates are scheduled in both cases.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed a federal murder charge against Mangione, finding it was legally flawed. The decision blocks the Trump administration’s effort to pursue capital punishment in the high-profile case.
Garnett left in place federal stalking charges, which carry a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges related to Thompson’s death.
Thompson was shot and killed in December 2024 as he walked to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan. Prosecutors had described the killing as a premeditated assassination.
While the death penalty is no longer an option at the federal level, Mangione still faces life-in-prison sentences if convicted. State murder charges remain pending, and future court dates are scheduled in both cases.
