Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Accused UnitedHealth CEO Killer

U.S. prosecutors have formally announced their intention to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group's insurance division, during a targeted shooting in New York. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges related to the killing, which took place outside a hotel ahead of an investor conference. Authorities allege Mangione was found with a 3D-printed firearm, false identification, and a notebook outlining his intent to target an insurance executive, reflecting broader frustrations with the American for-profit health care system. The case has drawn significant public attention, with some expressing support for Mangione as a symbol of protest against high healthcare costs and insurer practices, while officials have condemned the violence. Mangione's defense has criticized the political nature of the Justice Department's pursuit of the death penalty, arguing it breached established protocols. If convicted federally, a jury would decide in a separate phase whether to recommend the death penalty, which would require a unanimous decision.