Luigi Mangione Won't Face Death Penalty In CEO Murder Case, US Judge Rules

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 21:42 IST

Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed two federal charges that could have carried capital punishment — murder and using a firearm fitted with a silencer

Supporters of Luigi Mangione wait in line to enter Manhattan Federal Court in New York City. (File photo: Getty Images via AFP)

A US federal judge on Friday ruled that prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing a health insurance chief executive in New York in December 2024.

Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed two federal charges that could have carried capital punishment — murder and using a firearm fitted with a silencer. The ruling does not end the case against Mangione but removes the death penalty as a possible sentence.

“This decision is solely to foreclose the death penalty as an available punishment to be considered by the jury," Judge Garnett said in a court filing.

Mangione, 27, still faces two federal counts of stalking and separate state-level murder charges in New York. If convicted of the federal stalking charges, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jury selection in the federal case is scheduled to begin on September 8.

The case stems from the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 4, 2024. The killing, which was captured on surveillance cameras, shocked the country and sparked renewed debate over public anger towards the private health insurance industry.

Mangione was arrested five days after the shooting at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, around 230 miles from New York City. Police acted on a tip from a restaurant employee, authorities said at the time.

In a separate ruling on Friday, Judge Garnett rejected a defence request to suppress evidence recovered during Mangione’s arrest. Police had searched a backpack found in his possession and recovered a handgun, a silencer, a loaded magazine wrapped in underwear, and a red notebook described by prosecutors as a “manifesto".

Mangione’s lawyers had argued that the search violated his constitutional rights, but the judge ruled that the evidence was lawfully obtained and could be used at trial.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both the federal and state charges.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world Luigi Mangione Won't Face Death Penalty In CEO Murder Case, US Judge Rules

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