By Nicki Brown, Kara Scannell, CNN

New York (CNN) — Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty for allegedly killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, a federal district judge ruled.

The decision is a loss for federal prosecutors, who were adamant about pursuing the death penalty in the case.

The judge dismissed the murder charge because it requires that the killing was committed during another “crime of violence.” Prosecutors alleged the other crimes of violence were two stalking charges, arguing Mangione stalked Thompson online and travelled across state lines to carry out the killing.

The judge disagreed, finding stalking charges are not “crimes of violence” and dismissed two counts in his federal case – murder and a related firearm offense.

The murder charge is the only count in Mangione’s federal indictment that could have carried a possible death sentence.

Mangione will still face two counts of stalking. If convicted, those counts have a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

Jury selection for the federal trial is scheduled to begin on September 8, with opening statements starting on October 13.

Judge Margaret Garnett also ruled Friday to allow into Mangione’s trial evidence recovered from his backpack at the time of his arrest.

Law enforcement seized several items from Mangione’s backpack, including a handgun, a loaded magazine and a red notebook – key pieces of evidence that authorities have said tie him to the killing.

Mangione’s attorneys had argued for the evidence to be barred from trial, contending the search of their client’s backpack was illegal because they had not yet obtained a warrant and there was no immediate threat to justify a warrantless search.

This story is a developing story and will be updated.

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By Dana Santas, CNN

(CNN) — Do you wake up feeling tight and stiff? If you’re one of the estimated 619 million people globally with lower back pain, that early morning discomfort is more than an annoyance. The first movements of the day play a significant role in how your back feels as the day unfolds.

Yet most people try to push through the stiffness rather than addressing it with care. Within minutes of getting out of bed, they move through poorly supported, forward-bending positions — leaning over a sink, slouching over devices, bending to get dressed — without first restoring a stable functional range of motion.

Starting the day from a foundation of compromised movement can lead to increased risk of injury and worsening tension as the day progresses.

A brief, intentional morning mobility routine interrupts that cycle. Spending just a few minutes to relieve tension and restore alignment prepares your body for upright, weight-bearing movement and full motion to tackle daily demands. Over time, using a corrective exercise routine every morning also can help address underlying drivers of chronic back pain and posture problems.

You don’t need an intense workout or stretching session. Eight minutes of gentle, focused mobility can help you move more comfortably throughout the day and stay ahead of tension rather than reacting to it.

Why mornings matter for your back

Overnight, while your spine is largely unloaded as you sleep, it undergoes a rehydration process to replace spinal fluid that was naturally forced out of the discs during daily movement. The rehydrated discs occupy slightly more space within the spinal joints first thing in the morning, making your spine feel stiffer and less adaptable upon waking.

That increased stiffness is one reason movement can feel harder early in the day. The rigidity also explains why the spine is especially sensitive to how movement is reintroduced after sleep.

If the first moves of your day are poorly aligned, rushed or extreme — such as bending forward deeply to touch your toes — your nervous system, sensing spinal rigidity, may react with acute protective muscle tension as a guarding mechanism. This response is often the explanation behind the familiar story of “my back locked up while I was just reaching down to put on my shoes.”

Gentle movement paired with slow, intentional breathing helps calm your nervous system and ease your spine back into movement. The goal of a morning routine is to allow joints and tissues to regain safe, functional motion before being asked to stabilize or bear load.

An 8-minute sequence to support your spine

This routine is designed to be done on a yoga or exercise mat on the floor before breakfast. Move slowly, breathe through each position and avoid forcing any range of motion. After completing it, you should feel more fluid and stable, not overstretched or fatigued.

Before beginning this or any exercise program, consult your doctor or physical therapist. Stop immediately if you experience pain.

Start with breath-led decompression (90 seconds)

Begin lying on your back with your knees bent and feet hip-width on

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