Luigi Mangione expected in Manhattan federal court Friday as plea deal is weighed

NEW YORK (WBFF) — A possible plea deal could change the legal landscape for Maryland native Luigi Mangione. That plea could also set up a new legal fight over whether Mangione can still face a separate murder trial in New York.

The 28-year-old is expected in federal court Friday where he could plead guilty to charges connected to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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The Towson native is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court Friday where sources said he could plead guilty. The details of that expected plea have not been made public, and any deal is not final until it’s accepted by the judge.

“When you accept a plea as a criminal defendant you also get some level of finality,” attorney Kurt Nactman said.

“This isn’t the first time that Luigi Mangione has attempted to go into court and to negotiate. This is the second, but negotiations broke down several months ago,” attorney Jeremy Eldridge said.

Mangione initially faced federal murder, weapons, and stalking charges. In January, a federal judge dismissed the murder and weapons charges on legal grounds eliminating the possibility of the death penalty.

“It’s unlikely that any plea deal whether it’s state or federal court would not result in a sentence close to life imprisonment,” Eldridge said.

He now faces two federal stalking charges resulting in death each carrying a possible life sentence.

A federal guilty plea could have consequences well beyond that courtroom. Mangione also faces second-degree murder in New York State Court where his trial is scheduled to begin September 8.

Legal experts said his attorneys are expected to argue that if he’s convicted federally New York’s double-jeopardy law should prevent the state from prosecuting him for murder over the same alleged act.

“It is going to be a lengthy sentence. The question is, ‘is he going to be in a situation where at some point in the future he could look forward to a release date?’” Eldridge said. “Or if he has both a federal case and a state case where he could get consecutive sentences and essentially die in prison?”

Mangione’s federal hearing is set for Friday at 11 a.m.