Federal Death Penalty Sought in CEO Murder Case

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was federally indicted on four counts—including murder and stalking—after the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. Prosecutors, under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s directive and President Trump’s policy, are seeking the death penalty. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges and allegedly shot Thompson from behind as he arrived at an investor conference. The murder triggered a five-day manhunt, leading some health insurers to bolster security and move meetings online. The case has sparked debate about healthcare coverage denials, with some viewing Mangione as a protest symbol, while his attorneys challenge the death penalty as politically motivated and unconstitutional. Police reported the ammunition used was inscribed with anti-insurance phrases.