Luigi Mangione spared from death penalty as judge throws out two charges

Mangione still faces two federal stalking counts, which could amount to a maximum prison sentence of life without possibility of parole.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The judge also ruled that the backpack Mangione wore at the time of his arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania can be featured in his federal trial.

Authorities have said the backpack contained a ghost gun, fake IDs, a notebook and other writings that went into detail about Mangione’s grievances against the US’s private healthcare system.

Mangione’s lawyers called for that evidence to be omitted from the trial, citing an illegal search by arresting officers.

The prosecution team has forcefully denied that contention.

Mangione is accused of gunning down Mr Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024, as the executive was heading to an investor conference.

A frantic manhunt was launched across the region after the killing.

After a five-day search, Mangione was arrested.

His pretrial hearings have garnered huge interest with spectators packing out their allotted space in the courtroom.

Demonstrators have also gathered outside courthouses to protest against health insurance industry practices.

He is tentatively set to stand trial in Manhattan federal court in September on charges of murder with a firearm, use of a firearm in a crime and stalking.

Mangione’s lawyers have asked a judge to either throw out the indictment over alleged legal deficiencies.

A trial date is yet to be set.