Luigi Mangione Faces Federal Court as DOJ Unveils New Death Penalty Approach: Former Prosecutor Weighs In

Luigi Mangione is set to appear before a federal judge on Friday afternoon for his initial appearance regarding federal charges. The Department of Justice plans to pursue capital punishment following allegations that he carried out the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The Department of Justice secured an indictment against Mangione in the Southern District of New York. Mangione faced charges for stalking and killing Thompson, along with utilizing electronic communication, crossing state lines, and employing a firearm during the alleged murder of the health care insurance executive on December 4, 2024.

If found guilty of murder involving the use of a firearm, Mangione could be subject to the death penalty, according to statements made by federal prosecutors in their court documents.

Neama Rahmani, who previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, stated to Fox News Digital that the Department of Justice’s willingness to consider capital punishment marks a significant departure from the stance taken during the Biden administration.

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The two most recent federal prosecutions following the initial incidents involved Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd and Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, along with William 'Roddie' Bryan, concerning the death of Ahmaud Arbery; these cases highlight significant civil rights concerns," explained Rahmani. "However, there’s a notable change at the DOJ, as the Department of Justice now plans to pursue capital punishment cases within so-called ‘blue’ states—states that may have suspended executions through moratoriums, bans, or legislative repeal.

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"That’s all politically driven from both perspectives; however, I think we’re witnessing a change in the Department of Justice's policies here," he noted.

In 2021, when ex-President Biden assumed office, his administration implemented a halt to federal executions for crimes not linked to terrorism or hate-driven mass killings. Upon departing from office, Biden reduced the death penalties of 37 out of 40 prisoners to life imprisonment with no chance of parole.

Dylann Roof, found guilty of murdering nine individuals at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, did not have his sentence reduced by Biden. Similarly, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was convicted for his involvement in the Boston Marathon bombing, likewise did not get clemency from Biden.

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In December, President-elect Donald Trump signaled his intention to instruct the Department of Justice to reinstate the federal government’s use of capital punishment against those considered the most vicious offenders.

"Once I take office, I will instruct the Justice Department to aggressively seek the death penalty in order to safeguard American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and criminals," Trump stated.

Attorney General Pam Bondi made the announcement in April 1 Instagram post that her Department of Justice would pursue the death penalty.

Luigi Mangione’s deliberate and calculated killing of Brian Thompson—an unarmed father of two young kids—was a chilling execution-style murder that stunned the nation. Following thorough deliberation, I have instructed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in this matter as part of our commitment to implement President Trump’s strategy for curbing violent crime and Ensuring American Safety Once More," stated Bondi.

Mangione's attorneys objected to Bondi's statement, claiming that the government had infringed upon their client’s due process rights by making public comments about an ongoing matter. criminal case Outside of court, his legal team is trying to prevent the death penalty from being applied in the federal case.

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Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was in New York City for a publicly announced shareholder conference. An earlier federal complaint alleges that Mangione traveled by bus from Atlanta to New York City and arrived at the Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan on Nov. 24, 2024.

Mangione allegedly checked into a hostel under a fake New Jersey license under the name "Mark Rosario." Prior to allegedly shooting Thompson , the University of Pennsylvania graduate was seen riding an electric bicycle to a spot near the New York Hilton Midtown hotel.

He was arrested at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania, and prosecutors recovered a notebook full of writings which they say depicted a calculated assassination attempt, in addition to a "ghost gun."

In addition to the federal charges, Mangione is facing accusations in New York and Pennsylvania. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all these charges.

Louis Casiano, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, and Michael Ruiz from Fox News Digital contributed to this report.

Original article source: Luigi Mangione goes to federal court as DOJ unveils new approach to death penalty: former federal prosecutor