On Friday, a federal judge will decide if the death penalty is still an option for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in Manhattan.
Mangione is being charged with stalking and killing Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024 by both the state and the federal government. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and will go to federal court on Friday for the important decision.
His lawyers say that the stalking charge doesn't fit the legal definition of a "crime of violence," which is what he would need to be convicted of in order to be eligible for the death penalty if he is found guilty on federal charges. The defense also says that the choice to seek the death penalty was politically motivated and went against normal federal procedures.
"The stalking charge is not a violent crime, so it can't be the reason Mangione is eligible for the death penalty.
— Statement from the defense attorney
If the death penalty is still an option, Judge Margaret Garnett has said that Mangione will have to go to federal court in January 2027. But if the death penalty is not on the table, the federal trial would start much sooner, in October 2026.
No matter what the decision about the death penalty is, jury selection will take place on September 8, 2026.
This week, the Manhattan district attorney's office sent a letter asking that Mangione's state trial start on July 1, 2026, before the federal case moves forward.
Disagreement Over Backpack Search Evidence
Judge Garnett will also decide if evidence taken from Mangione's backpack when he was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, can be used in court. The backpack is said to have held the murder weapon, a notebook, and other writings.
Federal prosecutors say that the Altoona Police Department did everything right when they searched. Mangione's lawyers say that the search was against the law and that police shouldn't have been able to get to the things in the backpack right away.
Timeline for State vs. Federal Trial
The Manhattan district attorney's office has pushed for the state trial to go first, saying that New York has a strong interest in protecting the right to life, keeping the peace, and getting justice for Brian Thompson's family.
Important Dates and Court Rulings
There are complicated jurisdictional problems between state and federal courts in this case. Both want to prosecute Mangione for the high-profile murder of a major healthcare executive.
✓ Requested state trial start date: July 1, 2026
✓ Jury selection scheduled for September 8, 2026
✓ Federal trial (if death penalty removed) in October 2026
✓ Federal trial (if death penalty remains) in January 2027
The death penalty decision on Friday will have a big effect on the trial schedule and the prosecution's plan.
What's at stake in the ruling on Friday
The judge's decision about whether to keep the death penalty as a possible sentence will have a big effect on how and when Mangione is tried and what could happen to him if he is found guilty.
The federal case will move along more quickly if the death penalty is taken away. A trial could start as early as October 2026. If it stays, the case will take longer, with a trial date set for January 2027.
The state is very interested in protecting Thompson's family's right to life, keeping the peace, and bringing them justice.— Office of the Manhattan District Attorney
The murder of Brian Thompson, a well-known healthcare executive, has gotten a lot of attention across the country and started discussions about violence against business leaders.
Both the defense and the prosecution are getting ready for what could be one of the most closely watched trials in recent years as Mangione waits for Friday's decision.
