Lawyers Seek to Block Death Penalty in Luigi Mangione Case, Calling It a “Political Stunt”

The legal battle surrounding Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has taken a dramatic turn. Mangione’s attorneys are now asking a federal judge to block the Justice Department’s attempt to pursue the death penalty, calling the decision a politically motivated act.

In a recent statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would seek the death penalty if Mangione is convicted on federal capital murder charges. This move is seen as fulfilling President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to reinstate federal executions. However, Mangione’s defense team is arguing that the DOJ is overstepping its bounds and violating Mangione’s due process rights.

The defense claims that the decision to pursue the death penalty was rushed and that key legal protocols were ignored. They also contend that public statements by Bondi have potentially tainted the grand jury pool, making it impossible for Mangione to receive a fair trial.

“The stakes could not be higher,” Mangione’s attorneys wrote in a court filing, referring to the potential death sentence. “The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt.”

Mangione’s legal team further criticized the process, saying they were denied adequate time to prepare a comprehensive mitigation submission to the DOJ’s Capital Case Committee. Despite requesting three months to present this submission, they were told a decision would be made before then, which they argue shows a lack of proper consideration of the case’s details.

Bondi has directed Matthew Podolsky, the interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to seek the death penalty if Mangione is convicted. The U.S. Attorney’s office has declined to comment on the case at this time.

Mangione, 26, is facing both state and federal charges for allegedly shooting Thompson outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan last year. He has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. While he has been charged under a federal criminal complaint, he has not yet been formally indicted on federal charges. One of the federal charges against him, murder through the use of a firearm, carries a potential death sentence if he is convicted.

Since the announcement, Mangione’s legal defense fund has received significant financial backing, with over $850,000 in donations from supporters. Many of the recent contributions have been made in response to the DOJ’s decision to pursue the death penalty, with donors expressing concern over the fairness of the case.

Mangione’s lawyers have also spoken out about a “hastily assembled” meeting with federal prosecutors during the final days of the Biden administration. They were informed that the Capital Case Committee had not yet made a decision. In response, the defense team sought more time to submit additional mitigation factors, but they were told that a decision would be made before the requested time frame.

Mangione’s attorneys believe that, regardless of any mitigation presented, the DOJ’s decision to seek the death penalty was driven more by political motives than by the facts of the case. They argue that Attorney General Bondi’s actions have been more focused on adhering to the administration’s broader “Make America Safe” policies than on ensuring a fair process for Mangione.

As the case moves forward, it’s clear that the debate over the death penalty will remain at the forefront, with Mangione’s defense team fighting hard to prevent what they see as a politically charged decision.