Lawyers for Luigi Mangione have asked a judge to stop federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They argue that the case has been unfairly influenced by political pressure and public comments from officials.
Mangione’s legal team said US attorney general Pam Bondi damaged the fairness of the case when she declared before his indictment that he deserved capital punishment. They also pointed to Mangione’s highly publicized arrest, which they compared to a “Marvel movie” spectacle.
The defense filing criticized Bondi’s decision to announce the death penalty on social media and television, claiming it was based on politics, not legal merit. They also argued that her comments unfairly influenced the grand jury that later indicted Mangione.
Former president Donald Trump added to the controversy when he called Mangione a “pure assassin” during a Fox News interview. The defense said such remarks only increased the prejudice against their client and risked violating his right to a fair trial.
Mangione, 27, faces both state and federal murder charges. Surveillance footage shows a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind outside a Manhattan hotel in December 2024. Authorities say Mangione was arrested five days later with a handgun and a notebook detailing his plan to target an insurance executive.
In the state case, a judge recently dismissed terrorism charges but allowed other counts, including intentional murder, to proceed. New York does not have the death penalty, but the federal case does. Prosecutors have until 31 October to respond to the defense request, with a hearing scheduled for 5 December.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty. Some supporters see him as a symbol of anger toward the health insurance industry. At recent hearings, several wore green clothing and shirts reading “Free Luigi.”
