The judge rules out capital punishment, but the 27-year-old still faces federal stalking charges and state murder charges.
Published on January 30, 2026
A New York judge dismissed murder and weapons charges against Luigi Mangionemeaning prosecutors can no longer seek the death penalty in the case charging him with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
While District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the capital charges in her ruling Friday, the 27-year-old still faces two counts of stalking in his federal case that could lead to a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as state murder charges that carry the same sentence.
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GluttonThe Ivy League-educated scion of a wealthy Maryland family had previously pleaded not guilty to federal murder, weapons and stalking charges for allegedly shooting Thompson in December 2024.
Garnett’s decision foils an attempt by US President Donald Trump’s administration to have him executed for what it calls a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” The judge is appointed by former President Joe Biden.
Thompson, 50, was killed as he headed to a midtown Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference.
Surveillance video shows a masked gunman shooting him from behind, with police saying “delay,” “deny” and “drop” were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.
Jury selection in the federal case is scheduled to begin September 8.
The state trial has not yet been scheduled, but Mangione previously pleaded not guilty to murder, weapons and forgery charges in Manhattan state court.
This week, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office sent a letter urging the judge in the case to set a trial date for July 1.
Attorney General Pam Bondi last April ordered federal prosecutors in Manhattan to seek the death penalty against Mangione, following through on Trump’s pledge to pursue capital punishment.
Trump returned to power a year ago with a promise to resume federal executions after they were halted under Biden.
