Additional Coverage:
- Luigi Mangione’s lawyers want death penalty off the table in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case (cnn.com)
Manhattan Man’s Lawyers Seek to Block Death Penalty Bid in CEO Slaying
Lawyers for Luigi Mangione are pushing back against the death penalty in the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They argue that Attorney General Pam Bondi’s public statements and the dramatic nature of Mangione’s arrest have irrevocably tainted the case.
Following a successful dismissal of terrorism charges in the related state case, the defense team is now seeking to have the federal case dismissed altogether. They claim Bondi’s pre-indictment pronouncements about seeking capital punishment for the “cold-blooded assassination” prejudiced the proceedings. The defense filing also criticizes the heavily publicized arrest, describing it as a “Marvel movie” spectacle orchestrated to inflame public opinion.
The lawyers contend that Bondi’s subsequent social media posts and television appearance further demonstrate a politically motivated decision rather than one based on the merits of the case. They argue these actions unduly influenced the grand jury.
Adding fuel to the fire, former President Trump recently commented on the case, despite court rules against pretrial publicity that could jeopardize a fair trial. Trump described Mangione as looking like a “pure assassin,” referring to the shooting of Thompson. Mangione’s lawyers argue this unprecedented level of pretrial publicity further warrants dismissal of the federal case.
Federal prosecutors have until October 31 to respond to the defense’s motion. A hearing in the federal case is scheduled for December 5, shortly after pretrial hearings begin in the state case.
Trial dates for both cases have yet to be set. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Case So Far: Dueling Prosecutions and a Surprising Fanbase
Surveillance footage captured the December 4, 2024, shooting of Thompson, 50, outside a Manhattan hotel. The gunman, alleged to be Mangione, reportedly wrote insurance-related slogans on the ammunition. Mangione, heir to a wealthy Maryland family, was apprehended five days later in Pennsylvania with a handgun and a notebook allegedly detailing his plan.
The defense argues that the simultaneous state and federal prosecutions constitute double jeopardy. While a state judge recently dismissed terrorism charges, the state case will proceed with other murder charges. New York does not have the death penalty.
Meanwhile, Mangione has garnered an unexpected following. Supporters, many of whom are women, attended his recent state court hearing wearing green, a nod to the video game character Luigi, further highlighting the unusual nature of this already complex case.