April 01, 2025

News update: US prosecutors seek death penalty

12 minutes

This is the podcast that takes a step back to unpick and understand this story, and we'll also be bringing you news updates.

US attorney general Pam Bondi has announced prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo has released a blistering statement attacking the decision. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges but has yet to enter a plea for federal charges. He is currently awaiting trial in a New York federal prison.

Jordan Dunbar discusses the developments with the BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik who explains the latest news, and answers a question being asked on social media; does New York have the death penalty?

The Mangione Trial podcast unpicks the conspiracies around Luigi Mangione and considers the facts. The reaction to the murder of Brian Thompson and his suspected killer has been unprecedented. We will look at how such a shocking case set social media alight. Why was there such a reaction to Mangione on TikTok and Reddit?

We'll keep up to date with every development and explain what happens in the court process. If you have heard of a claim you want us to fact check, or a question for us to tackle, email us at [email protected].

If you want to watch this podcast, it is also available on the BBC World Service's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p-TntofsVfY

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