New York, United States– A federal judge in New York on Friday dismissed key federal murder and weapons charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024, removing the possibility of a death sentence, according to court records and legal filings. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled the dismissed counts were legally incompatible with remaining federal stalking charges, meaning prosecutors cannot pursue capital punishment in the case.
Judge Garnett’s decision stems from the U.S. Supreme Court’s narrow definition of what constitutes a “crime of violence” under federal law, the judge wrote, finding that the stalking counts at issue could be committed by reckless rather than intentional conduct. Prosecutors and the defense agreed the legal criteria under current precedent did not support capital punishment, even as the judge acknowledged the unusual and “tortured” nature of the statutory interpretation.
Mangione, 27, a Maryland native, has pleaded not guilty in both federal and state court to charges related to the December 4, 2024, shooting death of Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel. Federal charges now moving forward include two stalking-related counts tied to the incident, each carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Federal prosecutors retain the option to appeal the dismissal of the murder and weapons counts.
The judge set a preliminary schedule in federal court, with jury selection anticipated to start in September and opening statements later in the fall, though dates could shift if appeals are filed. In parallel, Manhattan prosecutors continue to pursue state-level charges against Mangione, including second-degree murder, with state trial dates under discussion but not yet officially set.
Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and defense counsel declined immediate comment following the ruling. Thompson’s family issued a statement through a spokesperson reiterating their devastation at his loss and support for continued legal proceedings. Independent advocacy groups and legal experts have noted the case underscores evolving judicial interpretation of federal criminal statutes.
A federal judge in New York on Friday dismissed key federal murder and weapons charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024, removing the possibility of a death sentence, according to court records and legal filings. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled the dismissed counts were legally incompatible with remaining federal stalking charges, meaning prosecutors cannot pursue capital punishment in the case.
Judge Garnett’s decision stems from the U.S. Supreme Court’s narrow definition of what constitutes a “crime of violence” under federal law, the judge wrote, finding that the stalking counts at issue could be committed by reckless rather than intentional conduct. Prosecutors and the defense agreed the legal criteria under current precedent did not support capital punishment, even as the judge acknowledged the unusual and “tortured” nature of the statutory interpretation.
Mangione, 27, a Maryland native, has pleaded not guilty in both federal and state court to charges related to the December 4, 2024, shooting death of Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel. Federal charges now moving forward include two stalking-related counts tied to the incident, each carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Federal prosecutors retain the option to appeal the dismissal of the murder and weapons counts.
The judge set a preliminary schedule in federal court, with jury selection anticipated to start in September and opening statements later in the fall, though dates could shift if appeals are filed. In parallel, Manhattan prosecutors continue to pursue state-level charges against Mangione, including second-degree murder, with state trial dates under discussion but not yet officially set.
Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and defense counsel declined immediate comment following the ruling. Thompson’s family issued a statement through a spokesperson reiterating their devastation at his loss and support for continued legal proceedings. Independent advocacy groups and legal experts have noted the case underscores evolving judicial interpretation of federal criminal statutes.
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Hannah Price is a digital journalist who covers breaking news, global events, and trending stories with accuracy and speed. She has previously contributed to several online magazines and has built a reputation for verifying facts before publishing. Hannah believes in responsible reporting and aims to present stories in a way that readers can trust.
