Luigi Mangione has admitted to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, pleading guilty to federal charges of interstate stalking resulting in death. The 28-year-old made the admission during a hearing in Manhattan federal court on Friday, stating, "I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died."
Mr Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was fatally shot from behind on 4 December 2024 as he entered a hotel in midtown Manhattan. Following the plea hearing, Mr Thompson's family issued a statement describing the development as "an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family."
Mr Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for the federal charges. His legal team is now seeking to have parallel state charges dismissed in light of his federal guilty plea.
During the hearing, Mr Mangione, dressed in a beige prison outfit, appeared solemn and serious. He read a statement to the court, admitting to planning the attack in advance and travelling across state lines with the explicit intent to kill. He also confessed to using a gun that he had produced on a 3-D printer, which was equipped with a silencer and a magazine.
Mr Mangione told the court that his motive for killing Mr Thompson stemmed from his personal experiences with the healthcare system, specifically "after years of enduring severe pains from a broken back."
He further detailed his preparations, stating that he learned UnitedHealthcare would be holding its annual investor conference in Manhattan in December 2024. He then travelled to New York for the event, and prior to the conference, he emailed UnitedHealthcare while "posing as an investor," asking questions about the gathering.
"I emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson," Mr Mangione stated. "On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024 I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan in his back."
Sentencing for the federal charges has been scheduled for 18 December. Prosecutors have put forward a recommendation for Mr Mangione to serve between 24 and 30 years in prison. However, Judge Margaret Garnett informed Mr Mangione that this recommendation is not binding and that she retains the ultimate authority to determine his sentence, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, alongside financial penalties. She also noted that the federal system does not allow for parole.
Mr Thompson's family expressed their gratitude that the federal justice system had "held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable." They added, "Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime," and affirmed their commitment to continuing to seek justice in both New York state and Pennsylvania, where Mr Mangione was arrested.
Mr Mangione's guilty plea in federal court is expected to significantly impact his New York state case, where he initially pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including second-degree murder, possession of a forged instrument (allegedly a fake driver's licence), and six counts of criminal possession of a weapon. The state trial is currently slated to begin in September.
Following the federal plea, Mr Mangione's lawyers argued on the steps of the court that the state case should be dismissed due to the constitutional protection against double jeopardy, which prevents an individual from being prosecuted twice for the same crime. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a lawyer for Mr Mangione, asserted that "New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime," and that by pleading guilty in federal court, Mr Mangione has accepted "full responsibility" for Mr Thompson's death.
Conversely, the Manhattan District Attorney's office has indicated it is prepared to proceed with the state prosecution. In a statement, they said, "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 defence motions. The Manhattan DA's Office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr Thompson and his family."
