A New York federal judge has ruled that Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty in the case over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. US District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the charges that were eligible for capital punishment, citing legal incompatibility with the remaining stalking charges.
In a written order on Friday, Judge Garnett dismissed counts three and four against Mangione, including murder through use of a firearm and a weapons charge. She stated that the court was bound by US Supreme Court precedents, which made those charges legally incompatible with the two federal stalking counts Mangione still faces.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He now faces two federal stalking counts that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. The judge noted that the practical effect of dismissing the capital-eligible count is to remove the death penalty from consideration by the jury.
Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will appeal the ruling. Mangione’s lawyers had previously moved to dismiss some charges in October. The judge also rejected a defense motion to suppress evidence, including a backpack and gun allegedly used in the killing.
Mangione is also facing separate state charges in Manhattan. The federal trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection on 8 September.
