Luigi Mangione death penalty ruling : NPR

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had two charges dropped by a federal judge on Friday, making the death penalty no longer an option in his case. The incident occurred on Dec. 4, 2024, in midtown Manhattan, where Thompson was killed as he walked to his hotel for an investor conference held by UnitedHealth Group. The ammunition used in the crime had words referencing insurance claim denials written on them.

The dropped charges included murder through the use of a firearm, which was a capital offense, and a firearms charge. Two interstate stalking charges are the only remaining charges against Mangione.

If convicted, Mangione now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The federal government described the killing as a premeditated and cold-blooded act that shocked the nation.

Federal prosecutors have a thirty-day window to decide whether they will appeal the dropped charges.

Mangione’s attorney, Karen Agnifilo, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and stated that they are prepared to fight the case moving forward.

In addition to the federal charges, Mangione is also facing trial in New York State on charges of murder, possession of a weapon, and possession of a forged instrument, with the top charge carrying a potential sentence of 25 years to life.

Judge Garnett, in her written opinion, acknowledged the complexity of the case and emphasized her commitment to upholding the rule of law.

While the defense celebrated the dropped charges, Judge Margaret Garnett ruled in favor of the prosecution on another matter. She deemed Mangione’s backpack and its contents admissible as evidence in his federal trial, despite arguments from his legal team that the search was conducted without a warrant.

The ruling on the admissibility of these items in the New York state court case is still pending.

Jury selection for Mangione’s federal trial is set to commence in September, with both sides requesting an extended jury selection process due to the case’s high profile nature.

Both the defense and prosecution will have ample time to review potential jurors’ questionnaires before proceeding with the selection process.