Prosecutors cannot pursue a death sentence against Luigi Mangione in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a federal judge ruled Friday, delivering a blow to prosecutors.
U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett dismissed two of the four federal counts against Mangione: murder through use of a firearm, which carries a potential death sentence, and a related firearms offense.
Garnett left in place two federal stalking counts, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty.
Garnett ruled that the murder charge was technically flawed. It can be used only in tandem with a “crime of violence.” The prosecution argued that Mangione’s alleged stalking of Thompson met that standard. Garnett disagreed.
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