A U.S. federal judge dismissed federal murder and firearm charges related to the assassination of Brian Thompson, CEO of a major health insurance company, allowing Luigi Mangione to avoid the death penalty.
Judge Margaret Garnett of the U.S. District Court in New York City ruled on Friday, 30 January, stating that the court is bound by U.S. Supreme Court precedents and cannot proceed with federal murder charges as they legally conflict with two remaining interstate stalking charges in this case.
However, Mangione still faces separate murder charges filed by New York State prosecutors, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Judge Garnett explained that federal murder law requires the charges to be linked to another violent crime, but stalking does not qualify as a violent crime and does not necessarily involve intent to use violence, so it cannot support federal murder charges.
She acknowledged that this decision may confuse the public and seem counterintuitive legally, since the alleged conduct—involving crossing state lines to assassinate a health insurance executive while carrying a silenced firearm—would clearly be seen as violent.
However, she emphasized that the court must strictly follow the Supreme Court’s rulings.
Although escaping the death penalty, 27-year-old Mangione still faces life imprisonment without parole if convicted of the interstate stalking charges.
Federal prosecutor Dominic Gentile stated during the hearing that the government has not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling.
Karen Agnifilo, Mangione’s attorney, told reporters after the hearing that she is very grateful to the judge for the remarkable decision and that her client feels greatly relieved.
Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, was shot dead on 4 December 2024 in front of the Hilton Hotel in central Manhattan. Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania five days later and denies all charges.
While officials and politicians widely condemned the assassination, online some Americans view Mangione as a hero, dissatisfied with high medical costs and health insurance company practices.
Mangione continues to deny charges of murder, firearm offenses, and document forgery in New York State court, which has yet to set a trial date. Previously, prosecutors lost when terrorism charges were dismissed in September.
The federal court has scheduled jury selection for September, with trial starting on 12 October.
. Source:BBC
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