New York
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Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty for allegedly killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, a federal district judge dominated Friday, dealing a blow to US prosecutors who had been adamant about pursuing the final sentence.
US District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the homicide cost in Mangione’s federal indictment, which was the solely rely in any of the circumstances introduced towards him that might have carried a attainable death sentence. He nonetheless faces two counts of stalking – which carry a most attainable sentence of life in jail with out parole – in the federal case.
Garnett primarily based her resolution on an interpretation of the legislation which requires that the killing be dedicated throughout one other “crime of violence.”
Prosecutors alleged the different crimes of violence had been represented by two stalking prices, arguing Mangione stalked Thompson on-line and travelled throughout state traces to hold out the killing.
The judge disagreed, discovering the stalking prices did not quantity to “crimes of violence” and dismissed two counts in Mangione’s federal case – the homicide cost and a associated firearm offense.
“The analysis contained in the balance of this Opinion may strike the average person – and indeed many lawyers and judges – as tortured and strange, and the result may seem contrary to our intuitions about the criminal law,” Judge Margaret Garnett wrote in her ruling. “But it represents the Court’s committed effort to faithfully apply the dictates of the Supreme Court to the charges in this case.”
The ruling was certainly one of two Garnett issued Friday: She additionally determined to permit key proof recovered from Mangione’s backpack at the time of his arrest to be introduced at trial over objections by the protection.
Still, the ruling on the death penalty is a boon for Mangione and his attorneys, who had made a number of arguments to keep away from a capital sentence. And it’s certain to impress the 27-year-old’s many supporters, who see Mangione as an avatar for his or her resentment and anger in the direction of the American well being care system.
“We’re all very relieved,” Karen Friedman Agnifilo, certainly one of Mangione’s attorneys, advised reporters Friday when requested about her shopper’s response to the information.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi introduced she had directed the Justice Department to pursue the death penalty in April 2025, calling the killing “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”
In court docket Friday, an assistant US lawyer indicated he did not but know whether or not the Justice Department would attraction the judge’s ruling on the death penalty. Judge Garnett requested for an replace by February 27.
Garnett denied as moot the protection’s different motions concerning the death penalty. She mentioned the solely movement which will nonetheless be related in a non-capital case is concerning pre-trial publicity. She urged the protection “table that for now” till prosecutors decide on interesting, after which they will renew that movement with a brand new temporary at a later time.
Mangione nonetheless faces a second-degree homicide rely and different prices in a separate case in New York state, the place the death penalty is unconstitutional. If convicted of the highest prices in the state case, Mangione might face a sentence of 25 years to life.
Mangione’s protection workforce has discovered related success capitalizing on authorized nuances in that case. Last fall, the judge in his New York state case dismissed the prime two prices in that indictment, which had been two terror-related homicide prices.
The state judge discovered that “there was no evidence presented of a desire to terrorize the public, inspire widespread fear, engage in a broader campaign of violence, or to conspire with organized terrorist groups,” which was required by the statutes governing these prices.
Mangione additionally faces counts associated to his arrest in a state case in Pennsylvania which might be not death penalty eligible. He has pleaded not responsible to all the prices.
Mangione’s pocket book and different backpack proof will be allowed
Judge Margaret Garnett additionally dominated Friday to permit into Mangione’s federal trial proof recovered from his backpack at the time of his arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, 5 days after Thompson’s killing.
Law enforcement seized a number of gadgets from Mangione’s backpack, together with a handgun, a loaded journal and a pink pocket book – key items of proof that authorities have mentioned tie him to the killing.
The recovered gun is according to the firearm used to kill Thompson, federal authorities mentioned in court docket filings. Some of the handwritten entries in the pocket book “express hostility towards the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular,” they wrote.
Mangione’s attorneys had argued for the proof to be barred from trial, contending the search of their shopper’s backpack was unlawful as a result of that they had not but obtained a warrant and there was no quick risk to justify a warrantless search.
Federal prosecutors have argued in court docket filings that officers had a proper to undergo Mangione’s possessions as a part of routine arrest procedures and to seek for any weapons that could possibly be a security risk. Prosecutors have mentioned the proof needs to be permitted since it could have inevitably been found legally throughout the course of the investigation.
Mangione’s protection workforce is making an attempt to get the identical proof thrown out of his case in New York state court docket. In December, a number of witnesses testified throughout a days-long hearing over the disputed proof. The judge in that case is predicted to situation a ruling in May.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s workplace is making an attempt to persuade the state judge to set their trial for July. Mangione’s lawyer mentioned they’ll want the time to organize for the federal trial, which is scheduled to start with jury choice on September 8, adopted by opening statements on October 13.
This story has been up to date with further info.