Federal prosecutors will not be able to pursue the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal judge made the ruling on Friday, preventing the government from seeking capital punishment.
The decision halts the Trump administration’s efforts to classify the killing as a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination.” The case remains under federal investigation and prosecution without the option of the death penalty.
**Why this matters**
The ruling limits the maximum punishment available in a high-profile federal murder case, affecting how justice will be administered. It also marks a significant decision in the ongoing debate over the use of the death penalty in federal cases.