A New York federal judge has dismissed the federal murder charge that could have carried the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. US District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled on Friday that counts three and four, including murder through use of a firearm and a weapons charge, were legally incompatible with the remaining stalking charges.
Judge Garnett stated that the dismissal was required by US Supreme Court precedents, noting that the stalking charges did not qualify as 'crimes of violence' because any use of force could be achieved through reckless rather than intentional conduct. The ruling means Mangione will not face capital punishment, but he still faces two federal stalking counts that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the federal case, as well as to separate murder, weapons, and forgery charges in Manhattan state court. His lawyers had previously moved to suppress evidence, including a backpack and a gun, but the judge rejected that motion on Friday.
Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will appeal the ruling. Mangione is due back in court later on Friday for a conference, and the federal trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection on 8 September.
