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Judge dismisses two federal charges Luigi Mangione This move saved him from facing possible death penalty.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett on Friday dismissed federal murder and weapons charges against Mangione while leaving in place the stalking charge, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The judge’s ruling thwarted the Trump administration’s efforts to execute Mangione for what it called “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”
glutton27, pleads not guilty to federal and state murder charges in death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. 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.
On Wednesday, the Manhattan 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.
In order to fulfill Trump’s campaign promise to vigorously promote the death penalty, Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty last April. 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.