• A federal judge has dismissed charges allowing the death penalty for Luigi Mangione.
• Judge Margaret Garnett declared stalking does not constitute a violent crime under federal law.
• Mangione continues to face two federal stalking charges and state-level murder allegations.
• The dismissal is seen as a setback for prosecutors seeking a death sentence.
• Jury selection for the federal trial is scheduled for September 8.

A federal judge ruled on Friday that Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty in connection with the alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed two key counts — murder and associated gun charges — which could have made capital punishment an option, citing legal flaws in the prosecution’s case. The judge determined that stalking, the basis for the murder charge, fails to meet the definition of a violent crime under federal law, thus foreclosing the death penalty for Mangione, 27, accused of fatally shooting Thompson in December 2024, according to Los Angeles Times.

In her ruling, Garnett explained her action was aimed at ensuring the jury would not consider the death penalty, a sentiment echoed by the court’s acknowledgment that the charges presented were “legally incompatible.” This pivotal ruling is a significant setback for the U.S attorney’s office, which had aimed to pursue capital punishment despite existing laws, as reported by BBC and South China Morning Post.

Although Mangione will not face the death penalty, he remains charged with two federal counts of stalking, which may lead to life imprisonment if he is convicted. His defense lawyers continue to plead not guilty to all charges, contending that the prosecution's arguments have been inherently flawed. The judge permitted the use of evidence found in a bag at the time of his arrest, which included firearms and a notebook specifying intentions against insurance executives, as stated by Reuters and Business Insider.

The case has drawn significant media attention, reflecting broader public discontent with the healthcare system in America. The surveillance footage showing Thompson's shooting attracted outrage, emphasizing the shocking nature of the act. Jury selection for the federal trial is scheduled to start on September 8, 2026, while the Manhattan district attorney has urged for a state trial by July 1, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.