Luigi Mangione indicted for killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - Luigi Mangione was arrested after killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. On April 17, he was indicted on federal charges.

Mangione’s indictment includes murder by firearm, which makes the death penalty possible. He is also charged with stalking and gun offenses. However, he pleaded not guilty to the state indictment.

“After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again," U. S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

Mangione's lawyers argue that Bondi's announcement corrupted the grand jury process and deprived Mangione of his rights to due process.

“While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the premeditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi,” Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said. She asked the judge to stop the government from seeking the death penalty.

Interestingly, Mangione has garnered much public following, with some people believing that his crimes were a display of opposition against greed. His defense fund has raised over $900,000 as of April 2025.

Mangione will be arraigned on four federal charges on April 25. If he is convicted in his federal trial, the jury is the one to decide whether or not he should receive the death penalty. The judge would have to set this decision.

Prithvi Sudhakar is a third-year majoring in cybersecurity. To contact him, email pzs5683@psu.edu.