By USA Daily Now 
In a high-stakes legal battle, attorneys for LUIGI MANGIONE are urging a federal judge to eliminate the possibility of the death penalty before he is formally indicted in the federal case tied to the assassination of BRIAN THOMPSON, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Thompson was fatally shot from behind outside a New York City hotel last year.
The defense’s motion, filed last week, claims that the pursuit of the death penalty is “arbitrary and capricious” and alleges that the directive to seek capital punishment is politically motivated, influenced by Thompson’s prominence as a CEO. Federal prosecutors countered that it is premature for the defense to challenge the death penalty, as Mangione has not yet been indicted or arraigned, and no formal notice to pursue capital punishment has been filed.
However, U.S. Attorney General PAM BONDI unofficially signaled her intent to seek the death penalty in an Instagram post on April 1. Mangione’s legal team, led by attorneys KAREN FRIEDMAN AGNIFILO and AVI MOSKOWITZ, argued that the post’s language suggested Mangione had already been convicted, potentially prejudicing the grand jury process.
On Wednesday, Mangione’s attorneys accused the government of violating their client’s due process rights by commenting on the pending case outside the courtroom. They emphasized that waiting for an indictment would be too late, as a grand jury’s decision could irreparably bias the case.
Legal experts, including former federal prosecutor NEAMA RAHMANI, predict an uphill battle for Mangione’s defense. “It’s a very difficult and high legal burden to meet,” Rahmani told Fox News Digital, noting that similar arguments failed in high-profile cases involving DONALD TRUMP and HUNTER BIDEN. Rahmani also suggested that the Justice Department under Bondi may seek to impose the death penalty more aggressively in states without capital punishment, marking a potential shift in federal policy.
BRIAN THOMPSON, a 50-year-old father of two, was in New York City for a shareholder conference when he was ambushed outside the event. Mangione, who faces charges in New York, Pennsylvania, and federal court, is accused of stalking Thompson and expressing deep-seated grievances against the health insurance industry. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case continues to unfold as the legal teams clash over the appropriateness of the death penalty and the integrity of the judicial process.
**Sources:**
[Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com)