Attorneys representing Luigi Mangione are urging a federal court to prevent the U.S. government from pursuing the death penalty in his case, claiming the move is politically driven and violates proper legal procedure.
In a motion filed Friday, the defense contends that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s public handling of the case has tainted its integrity and could prejudice a future grand jury. They argue that Bondi’s public remarks and media appearances regarding Mangione’s case, including a press release, a social media post, and a televised interview, demonstrate a pattern of behavior motivated by political interests rather than legal merits.
“The Attorney General’s actions show clearly that this capital prosecution is being pursued for political gain,” the filing states. “Her statements compromise the fairness of any potential proceedings, and her decision appears to have been influenced by the victim’s high-profile professional status.”
The defense team argues that Bondi disregarded the U.S. Department of Justice’s established protocols for considering capital punishment cases, calling the process “arbitrary and capricious.” They emphasized that Mangione has not yet been indicted on federal charges and is presumed innocent under the law.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, one of Mangione’s attorneys, previously criticized Bondi’s decision as “barbaric and political.” In the latest legal filing, the defense doubles down, accusing Bondi of exploiting the case to draw media attention. They say she launched a new Instagram account in tandem with her announcement, using it to promote her directive in a way that assumed Mangione’s guilt.
“She used the press release about the death penalty to generate content for her new social media platform,” the filing alleges. “There was no acknowledgment in her post that the defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”
Mangione is currently in federal custody while New York state prosecutors proceed with their case related to the December killing of a UnitedHealthcare executive. He also faces separate charges in Pennsylvania, where he was apprehended. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His legal team maintains that the decision to pursue capital punishment is not only unjustified but is being used as a political tool, calling it “a publicity stunt with life-or-death consequences.”
The court has yet to rule on the defense’s motion.
