Luigi M. was indicted Thursday on a federal murder charge in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in New York City last year.

The four-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Manhattan, and includes a charge of murder through the use of a firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.

He faces two counts of stalking and a firearms count as well.

M. has been separately charged by New York state prosecutors in Thompson's murder and awaits trial.

M., who is 26 years old, has pleaded not guilty to the state charges, which carry a maximum punishment of life in prison.

What does the indictment mean?

Thursday's federal indictment raises the stakes for M. because the charging document is necessary for federal authorities to prosecute him for Thompson's murder.

The indictment comes after US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on April 1 that prosecutors would seek the death penalty. 

M.'s lawyers have argued that the announcement was "unapologetically political" and broke with government protocols for death penalty decisions.

Upon taking office on January 20, US President Donald Trump vowed to resume federal executions, which peaked during his first term in office but were then halted by his successor Joe Biden.

How does a federal death penalty come about?

The defendant has asked a judge to prevent federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.

If M. is convicted in the federal case, the jury would determine in a separate phase of the trial whether to recommend the death penalty. 

Any such recommendation must be unanimous, and the judge would be required to impose it.

Luigi M.'s case captured Americans because he shot Thompson from behind before fleeing the scene. A five-day manhunt eventually led to his arrest.

M. also enjoys support from those who argue he shed light on the problems with the American health care system and the growing power of corporations at public expense.

*Editor's note: DW follows the German press code, which stresses the importance of protecting the privacy of suspected criminals or victims and obliges us to refrain from revealing full names in such cases.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar