Luigi Mangione won't face most serious federal charges, judge rules

The death penalty has been taken off the table for Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, after the most serious federal charges were dismissed by a judge on Jan. 30.

Mangione still faces separate state charges. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, weapons and forgery counts in New York.

The latest update hinges on the four counts filed against Mangione, 27, in federal court tied to the Dec. 4, 2024, fatal shooting outside a Manhattan hotel. He was charged with two counts of stalking, a weapons offense and murder through the use of a firearm − the charge that meant he could face the death penalty if convicted.

In a Jan. 30 court order, U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett granted a motion to dismiss the two most serious charges, taking the death penalty off the table in the case. Mangione will still go to trial on the stalking charges, which allege he caused Thompson's death, and include a maximum punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed the Justice Department to pursue the death penalty against Mangione in 2025. At the time, defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo said in a statement that the federal charges were brought by a "lawless Justice Department" that made a "political" decision to pursue death.

In the order dismissing charges, Garnett wrote that the murder through the use of a firearm and weapons charges required the element that the murder was committed "during and in relation to" another federal crime that is considered a "crime of violence."

Those charges were made on the basis of the stalking charges, which Garnett ruled did not fit the legal definition of a "crime of violence," noting that the legal standard was counterintuitive to the average person.

Mangione is expected to appear in court later on Jan. 30, where a representative for his legal team said remarks on the new order will be given.

Sprawling legal battle after death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

In separate state charges, Mangione pleaded not guilty to murder, weapons and forgery counts in New York. He faces nine felony counts, including second-degree murder, which carries a possible sentence of 25 years to life in prison, in the state. In September, a judge dismissed the state's terrorism-related charges against Mangione. A trial date for the New York charges has not been set.

He also faces weapons and related charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested at a McDonald's after a lengthy manhunt, and has pleaded not guilty.

Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson from behind early in the morning on Dec. 4, 2024, using a 3-D printed "ghost gun." Prosecutors have said his writings demonstrated a "hostility" for the health insurance industry. The violence drew sharp condemnations from political leaders but also sparked a groundswell of support for Mangione. Supporters have gathered outside his court appearances and donated to a fund for his legal bills.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)