Luigi Mangione will no longer face the death penalty charges, a federal judge ruled on Friday, Jan. 30.

U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed federal murder and related charges against Luigi Mangione, ruling they were technically flawed because the underlying crime of stalking does not meet the federal legal definition of a “crime of violence”. While acknowledging her analysis might seem “tortured” to the public, she explained the ruling hinged on the requirement that such charges be inherently tied to a violent act, which she deemed stalking is not.

While the federal murder charge and associated death penalty possibility were dropped, Mangione still faces federal stalking charges and state-level murder charges in New York.

The 27-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and could still face life without parole for the stalking charges.

Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk outside a hotel hosting an investor conference on Dec. 4, 2024.

He was captured five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa., allegedly carrying a 9 mm handgun and a “manifesto” describing a desire to “wack” a health insurance CEO.