...
By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The federal judge overseeing the pre-trial considerations in the Luigi Mangione case has dismissed death-eligible counts from the indictment, effectively taking the punishment off the table.
While capital punishment is off the table, Mangione still faces potential life imprisonment if convicted on the remaining federal stalking counts, ensuring the case proceeds with substantial penalties despite the dismissal of the death-eligible charges.
Why It Matters
The ruling removed the Justice Department’s first capital case of President Donald Trump’s second term and underscored how Supreme Court interpretations of “crime of violence” can constrain charging strategies in high-profile homicide prosecutions.
Read More on News
The decision also set clearer timelines: jury selection is scheduled to begin September 8 with opening statements on October 13, positioning the federal case alongside a pending New York state prosecution that carries its own potential life sentence.
...
What To Know
Judge Margaret Garnett argued that the federal murder charge against Mangione was technically flawed, and instead left the stalking charges, which Mangione's lawyers argued should not allow for the death penalty since it "fails to qualify as a crime of violence," and that the push to include the death penalty was politically motivated.
In her written opinion, Garnett acknowledged the analysis “may strike the average person — and indeed many lawyers and judges — as tortured and strange,” but said it reflected a “committed effort to faithfully apply the dictates of the Supreme Court,” emphasizing that “The law must be the Court’s only concern.”
Karen Agnifilo, an attorney representing Mangione, told reporters on Friday that “we’re all very relieved," hailing the ruling as an "incredible decision."
Garnett, however, declined to suppress evidence seized from Mangione's backpack during his arrest in Pennsylvania, which marks a significant blow to his legal defense. Police said ammunition recovered in the case bore the words “delay," "deny” and “depose,” a phrase critics use to describe alleged insurance claim tactics, and authorities arrested Mangione five days later in Altoona, about 230 miles west of Manhattan.
Garnett gave prosecutors 30 days to indicate whether they will appeal the death-penalty ruling, and said the federal case would pause if the government pursues an appeal, while noting the state case schedule does not alter her federal timetable absent formal notice.
Federal prosecutor Dominic Gentile did not indicate whether the Southern District of New York would appeal the decision, according to ABC News.
What Happens Next
The judge had previously indicated that the case would proceed this year if the death penalty was excluded, which means that the trial could start in October, following jury selection in September.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 1/30/26, 1:55 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines