A New York federal judge has made a significant ruling in the high-profile case involving Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The decision removes the possibility of capital punishment for Mangione, though he will still proceed to trial on other serious federal charges.
Judge Dismisses Capital Charges
In a written court order issued on Friday, US District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed counts three and four against Mangione. These charges included murder through the use of a firearm, which had been eligible for the death penalty, as well as a related weapons charge. This ruling effectively takes the death penalty off the table in this federal case.
Mangione, aged 27, has previously entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, weapons offenses, and stalking-related counts in the federal proceedings. Despite the dismissal of the capital-eligible charges, he remains indicted on two federal stalking counts.
Trial to Proceed on Stalking Charges
Judge Garnett clarified in her order that the case will move forward to trial on Counts One and Two. These charges allege that Mangione caused Brian Thompson's death under two distinct federal stalking laws. The potential maximum punishment for each of these offenses is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Jury selection for the murder trial is scheduled to commence on 8 September, marking a critical next step in the legal process. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the violent circumstances of the alleged crime.
Additional State Court Proceedings
Separately from the federal case, Mangione has also pleaded not guilty to charges in Manhattan state court. These include murder, weapons, and forgery-related allegations. No trial date has been set for these state-level proceedings, adding another layer of complexity to the legal saga.
The allegations stem from an incident in December 2024, when Mangione is accused of approaching Brian Thompson on a street in Manhattan. Thompson, who was attending an event at the time, was shot and killed in this confrontation, leading to the multiple charges against Mangione.
Evidence and Upcoming Hearings
In a related development on Friday morning, Judge Garnett also rejected a defense motion to suppress key evidence in the case. This evidence includes Mangione's backpack, which was recovered at the time of his arrest, along with its contents. The ruling means this material can be used in the upcoming trial.
Mangione is due back in court later on Friday for a conference related to the case, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold. The contributions to reporting from Reuters and the Associated Press have been noted in covering this developing story.
