Federal judge dismisses murder charge, rules Luigi Mangione will not face death penalty

A federal judge on Friday dismissed the murder charge against Luigi Mangione, who allegedly killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, and ruled that he will not face the death penalty.Federal prosecutors had sought the death penalty in the case, CNN reported.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett for the Southern District of New York, a Biden appointee, dismissed the murder charge because it requires that the killing was committed during another “crime of violence.” Federal prosecutors alleged the other crimes of violence were two stalking charges, arguing Mangione stalked Thompson online and traveled across state lines to kill him.
The judge found that stalking charges are not “crimes of violence” and also dismissed a related firearm offense.
The murder charge is the only count in the federal indictment against Mangione that could have carried a possible death sentence.
Mangione will still face two counts of stalking, both of which have a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
Garnett also ruled that Mangione’s backpack, which was recovered when he was arrested, be allowed into trial evidence.
Mangione’s backpack contained a handgun, a loaded magazine, and a red notebook, which are all pieces of evidence that authorities have said tie him to the killing.
His attorneys had argued for the evidence to be barred from trial, claiming that the search of their client’s backpack was illegal because authorities had not yet obtained a warrant and there was no immediate threat to justify a warrantless search.
Sept. 8 is when jury selection for the federal trial is scheduled to begin, with opening statements set for Oct. 13.

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