Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty for allegedly fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a federal judge ruled Friday, delivering a blow to prosecutors.
Judge Margaret M. Garnett dismissed two of the four federal counts against Mangione: murder through use of a firearm, which carries a potential death sentence, and a related firearms offense.
Mangione still faces two federal stalking counts. He has pleaded not guilty.
The 27-year-old is accused of gunning down Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, as the executive was heading to an early-morning investor conference. The killing set off a frantic manhunt across the region.
Five days later, Mangione was arrested at McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Mangione also faces nine counts in a case brought by New York state prosecutors, including second-degree murder and various weapons charges. He has pleaded not guilty in that case, too.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
