A federal judge in New York has dismissed murder and weapons charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ensuring he will not face the death penalty. This ruling represents a significant setback for federal prosecutors in the high-profile case.
Ruling Details
US District Judge Margaret Garnett in Manhattan issued the decision on Friday, citing constraints from Supreme Court precedents. She determined that the murder charge was incompatible with the two remaining stalking charges against Mangione. Despite the dismissal, Mangione, 27, could still receive life imprisonment without parole if convicted on the stalking counts.
During a routine court hearing, federal prosecutor Dominic Gentile informed Judge Garnett that the government has yet to decide on an appeal. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to Thompson’s death and has remained in custody since his arrest in Pennsylvania five days after the incident.
Background of the Shooting
Brian Thompson, who oversaw UnitedHealth Group’s health insurance operations, was fatally shot on December 4, 2024, outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. The attack drew widespread condemnation from public officials, though Mangione has emerged as an unlikely folk hero among some Americans frustrated with high medical costs and health insurer practices.
Jury selection for the federal trial is set to begin in September, with the evidence phase starting on October 12.
Separate State Charges
In addition to the federal case, Mangione faces murder, weapons, and forgery charges in New York state court in Manhattan, where he has also entered a not guilty plea. No trial date has been scheduled there. Prosecutors encountered a prior obstacle in September when the state judge dismissed two terrorism-related counts.
Judge’s Legal Analysis
In a detailed 39-page ruling, Judge Garnett explained that federal prosecutors could only pursue the murder and weapons charges if the stalking allegations qualified as “crimes of violence.” She concluded they did not, as the force involved could stem from reckless rather than intentional actions, falling short of Supreme Court standards.
The judge recognized the “apparent absurdity” of the situation, noting that Mangione’s alleged actions—traveling across state lines to shoot a specific healthcare executive with a silenced handgun—clearly constitute violent crime. She described her interpretation as potentially “tortured and strange” to laypeople and legal experts alike but emphasized it as a faithful application of Supreme Court guidelines. “The law must be the court’s only concern,” Garnett stated.
Evidence Ruling
In a related decision, Judge Garnett denied Mangione’s request to suppress evidence from his backpack seized at the time of his arrest. The backpack contained a 9-millimeter pistol, a silencer, and journal entries. Mangione’s defense argued the search occurred without a warrant, but the judge upheld it as standard procedure for local police to inspect closed bags for potential dangers, supported by probable cause. She added that the items would have been uncovered inevitably via a federal warrant.
