Dramatic turn in the Brian Thompson murder case could derail trial
Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty tomorrow in federal court. The move could cancel the federal trial, but simultaneously complicate or derail the state murder trial scheduled for next month.
Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty tomorrow (Friday) in the federal proceedings against him, as reported today by The New York Times and NBC, citing sources familiar with the details. The surprising move could prevent the federal trial, but also complicate and even derail the state murder trial scheduled to begin in New York next month.
Federal prosecutors and Mangione's defense attorneys jointly requested an urgent hearing tomorrow before Judge Margaret Garnett in the federal court in Manhattan. Initially, the purpose of the hearing was not disclosed, but it has since been reported that Mangione intends to change his plea to guilty.
It has not yet been confirmed which of the two stalking counts leading to death he will plead guilty to, or the specific terms of the plea deal. The decision is not yet final, and Mangione may withdraw it before or during the hearing. Judge Garnett must also approve the plea before it takes effect. The defense and federal prosecutors have not officially commented on the reports.
28-year-old Mangione could still be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as each of the two remaining federal charges carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. However, a guilty plea might allow him to present mitigating circumstances. If the plea is approved, the federal trial, scheduled to begin on January 5, will be canceled.
This development could give the defense a decisive advantage in the parallel proceedings conducted by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Mangione is charged there with second-degree murder, weapons offenses, and forgery. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 8, and if convicted of murder, he faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Following a federal conviction, his defense attorneys are expected to argue that New York state law, which provides broad protection against double jeopardy for the same act, requires the dismissal of the murder charge.
Usually, the federal government and a state are allowed to prosecute a person separately for the same act, but New York law grants defendants additional protection. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is expected to oppose the dismissal of the case, arguing that murder and stalking are legally separate offenses. Judge Gregory Carro previously rejected the defense's argument as premature, but clarified it could be raised again if Mangione is convicted or pleads guilty.
The District Attorney's Office has warned that if a federal guilty plea "prevents a just result" in the state trial, it may present the consequences of the plea deal and the position of the Thompson family to Judge Garnett. Prosecutors also announced that in the event of a guilty plea, they would ask the federal judge to impose a severe sentence.
Mangione is accused of shooting Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024. He was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a five-day manhunt.
In January, Judge Garnett dismissed the federal murder and weapons counts, ruling that stalking is not necessarily defined as a "crime of violence" for the purposes of those charges. Two terrorism charges filed in the state case were dismissed in September 2025.
