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Federal prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty Luigi Mangione UnitedHealth CEO killed Brian ThompsonA judge ruled Friday, thwarting the Trump administration’s attempt to execute someone for what it called a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination.” USA“.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the federal murder charge against Mangione, finding it had technical flaws. Garnett was left with stalking charges, which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal and state murder charges. State charges also could result in life in prison.
Jury selection in the federal case is scheduled to begin on September 8. A state trial has not yet been scheduled. Wednesday, manhattan The district attorney’s office sent a letter urging the judge in the case to set a trial date of July 1.
Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, as he headed to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor meeting at a downtown Manhattan hotel. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Police said the ammunition had “delay,” “deny” and “destroy” written on it, mimicking phrases used to describe how insurance companies avoid paying claims.
Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles west of Manhattan.
Following Trump’s campaign pledge to push the death penalty, Attorney General Pam Bondi last April ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Mangione.
It’s the first time the Justice Department has sought the death penalty during President Donald Trump’s second term. He returned to office a year ago and vowed to resume federal executions that were suspended under former President Joe Biden.
Garnett, a Biden appointee, made the ruling after a series of court documents filed with prosecutors and defense in recent months. She held oral arguments on the matter earlier this month.