A federal judge in New York ruled that Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty in the federal case stemming from the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson, sharply limiting the most severe charge sought by prosecutors.
The decision removes the only count that made Mangione eligible for capital punishment, while leaving multiple other charges across federal and state courts intact.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains in custody as the cases move forward.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the federal murder charge and a related firearms count, finding they could not legally stand alongside the two stalking charges still pending.
Federal prosecutors had argued the stalking offenses constituted “crimes of violence,” a requirement for the murder charge to qualify for the death penalty.
Garnett rejected that reasoning, citing Supreme Court precedent that limits what conduct qualifies as violent under federal law.
“The analysis contained in the balance of this Opinion may strike the average person – and indeed many lawyers and judges – as tortured and strange,” Garnett wrote, adding that the court was bound to apply the law as written.
An assistant U.S. attorney said prosecutors had not yet decided whether to appeal, and the judge requested an update by February 27.
The judge also denied as moot other defense motions tied specifically to capital punishment, while leaving open a possible future challenge related to pretrial publicity.
Mangione still faces two federal stalking counts, which carry a maximum possible sentence of life in prison without parole.
Separately, he is charged with second-degree murder and additional offenses in New York state, where the death penalty is unconstitutional and a conviction could result in a sentence of 25 years to life.
He also faces non-capital charges in Pennsylvania connected to his arrest.
In the same ruling, Garnett allowed prosecutors to introduce evidence seized from Mangione’s backpack, including a handgun, ammunition, and a notebook.
Jury selection in the federal case is scheduled to begin on September 8, with opening statements set for October 13.