Luigi Mangione’s lawyers argue Pam Bondi’s push for death penalty is PR stunt, urge judge to block it
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of murder and interstate stalking. He is accused of shooting Thompson outside a Midtown hotel where executives were attending a conference on 4 December 2024.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in April that the government would seek the death penalty, calling the killing “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” (AP Photos)
Luigi Mangione’s lawyers have asked a New York judge to block prosecutors from pursuing the death penalty, arguing that US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision to seek execution is a PR stunt that has prejudiced the case. Mangione is accused of killing Brian Thompson, head of UnitedHealthcare’s insurance unit, outside a Manhattan hotel last December.
In a petition filed shortly after a New York judge dismissed two terrorism-related charges on Sept 16, Mangione’s lawyers said authorities had “fatally prejudiced” the case, according to The Daily Beast.
They argued that the pursuit of the death penalty itself was used as a political spectacle, noting the public display during Mangione’s arrest in December, when he was paraded in shackles in front of cameras and law enforcement officials.
Mangione pleads not guilty
Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of murder and interstate stalking. He is accused of shooting Thompson outside a Midtown hotel where executives were attending a conference on 4 December 2024.
Prosecutors have until 31 October to respond to the defence request. The case is overseen by US District Judge Margaret Garnett.
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US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in April that the government would seek the death penalty, calling the killing “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”
Defence lawyers said that statement was “unapologetically political,” and that prosecutors broke standard protocol by not first conducting a full review or allowing them to argue against the decision.
Political backdrop
The case has drawn national attention, with some Americans expressing sympathy for Mangione’s anger over rising health costs and the power of insurers to reject treatment claims. At the same time, officials have warned of the risks of rising political violence, particularly after the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. President Trump, has not publicly commented on the case.
If Judge Garnett allows the death penalty and Mangione is later convicted, the same jury would decide whether he should face execution. His next federal court hearing is set for 5 December, when a trial date for 2026 could be set.
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Meanwhile, Mangione also faces state charges, including murder. On Tuesday, a New York judge dismissed two terrorism charges but left nine others in place. New York’s death penalty law was struck down in 2004, but that does not affect federal prosecutions.
Mangione could face life in prison if convicted at either the state or federal level. His next state hearing is scheduled for 1 December.
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US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in April that the government would seek the death penalty, calling the killing “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” (AP Photos) 
