NEW YORK (WBFF) — Luigi Mangione, a Towson native, admitted in a Manhattan federal court on Friday that he killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, pleading guilty to two federal stalking charges resulting in death.
Mangione, 28, also faces a separate state case in New York, where he is charged with second-degree murder and weapons charges in connection with Thompson’s shooting death.
Immediately after the federal plea, Mangione’s defense team filed a motion seeking to dismiss parts of the state case, arguing it violates New York’s strict double jeopardy laws.
“Today is a solemn and significant day. With today’s guilty plea, Mr. Mangione has accepted full responsibility for the death of Brian Thompson, arising from the events of December 4th, 2024 outside of the United Healthcare Investor Conference here in Midtown Manhattan. It was a single tragic event, yet he’s being prosecuted twice for the same conduct,” said Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilio.
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“New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and charged twice for the exact same crime,” Agnifilio added.
The defense motion raises questions about whether New York can continue prosecuting Mangione for Thompson’s death after the federal conviction.
“I think, the genius of the strategy behind the criminal defense team for Mr. Mangione. If this had happened in the reverse, then the federal authorities absolutely could still proceed with their prosecution. However, in this case, New York State has a much more robust law that prevents double jeopardy or much more robust law with respect to double jeopardy,” Baltimore criminal defense attorney Eric Bacaj said.
During the hearing today, Mangione told the court he shot Thompson and knew what he was doing “was illegal.”
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald said the guilty plea allows prosecutors to pursue the maximum penalty.
“The result achieved today, now allows our office to seek the maximum penalty allowed—life imprisonment,” McDonald said.
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Mangione also confirmed to the judge that he understood he could face a sentence of life in prison.
Agnifilio also pointed to Mangione’s health history and his experience with the health care system.
“As Luigi explained in court today, he endured years of severe debilitating pain following a broken back while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems… he believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life,” Agnifilio said.
After the federal court hearing, the Thompson family released a statement calling the plea “an important step toward justice.”
“Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family. While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable,” the statement said.
Mangione’s sentencing in the federal case is set for Dec. 18. It remains unclear what will happen to his state case, which is set to start Sept. 8.
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