Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal court over UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: ‘I shot Mr. Thompson’
Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to two felony charges related to the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, directly admitting to the shooting during his court appearance in Manhattan.
Appearing before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett on Friday, Aug. 14, Mangione pleaded guilty to one count of interstate stalking resulting in death and one count of stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death. When asked by Judge Garnett if he intended to plead guilty, Mangione responded, “yes.”
In-court confession and details of the attack
Reading a prepared statement in court, with members of Thompson’s family present, Mangione described planning and carrying out the fatal shooting outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel.
“I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan. I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal,” he said.
Mangione explained that years of severe back pain led him to research UnitedHealthcare’s investor conference by posing as an investor. After confirming the event was in New York City, he manufactured a 3D-printed firearm with a silencer to carry out the attack.
Thompson was shot outside the venue in December 2024, prompting a nationwide manhunt that ended with Mangione’s arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Federal sentencing and legal repercussions
Mangione faces up to life in prison. Judge Garnett scheduled his federal sentencing for December 18 and advised him that he will be required to serve at least 85% of his eventual sentence under federal guidelines. The court noted that any future state penalties may be served consecutively to his federal term.
Mangione remains at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he has been since his capture.
Potential impact on upcoming state murder trial
The federal plea comes weeks before Mangione was scheduled for a New York state trial on eight felony counts, including second-degree murder, with jury selection set for September 8. Mangione previously pleaded not guilty to the state charges.
The federal conviction now raises legal questions regarding double jeopardy protections. Mangione’s defense team is expected to argue that the state prosecution cannot proceed after a federal conviction on related offenses.
Legal experts anticipate that emergency appeals regarding the double jeopardy motion may delay the September 8 state trial date.
“Even on the quickest schedule, I see a very hard time for that schedule to be kept. I presume whoever loses the double jeopardy motion is going to go to the Appellate Division for an emergency appeal,” Seth J. Zuckerman, a New York criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, told People.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, meanwhile, has reiterated its intent to oppose defense motions and pursue state-level murder charges.
“We are encouraged that Mr. Thompson’s family received a measure of accountability today. While federal sentencing is pending, we are prepared to litigate the defense motions. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr. Thompson and his family.”