Executing him would have two effects: Sending the message that killing someone with money and power carries a higher penalty than killing another pleb. Make Man

Executing him would have two effects: Sending the message that killing someone with money and power carries a higher penalty than killing another pleb. Make Mangione a martyr possibly resulting in copy cats seeking to obtain a similar status. I also think the current administration would highly favor execution to send a strong message that attacking the bourgeoisie will result in death. They would certainly turn up the propaganda to 11. I feel the judge is smart enough to recognize both situations and took that option off the table.