Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty for allegedly killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, a federal district judge ruled.

The decision is a loss for federal prosecutors, who were adamant about pursuing the death penalty in the case.

The judge dismissed the murder charge because it requires that the killing was committed during another “crime of violence.” Prosecutors alleged the other crimes of violence were two stalking charges, arguing Mangione stalked Thompson online and travelled across state lines to carry out the killing.

The judge disagreed, finding stalking charges are not “crimes of violence” and dismissed two counts in his federal case – murder and a related firearm offense.

    • village604@adultswim.fan
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      15 hours ago

      Not really since the obviously planted evidence with a broken chain of custody is allowed to be presented at trial.

      • panda_abyss@lemmy.ca
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        14 hours ago

        Is it a jury trail where the defence can seed reasonable doubt on the obvious chain of custody issues?

        • FiniteBanjo@feddit.online
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          6 hours ago
          1. Luigi has requested trial by jury and plead innocent.

          2. The files on his computer to print his “untraceable” gun mod, and his banking records, will likely show that no reasonable doubt exists.

      • rumba@lemmy.zip
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        10 hours ago

        Nah, still good news. Getting off OJ style would be really good news, baby steps.