Luigi Mangione Expected To Plead Guilty To Federal Charges

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Luigi Mangione Expected To Plead Guilty To Federal Charges

Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty Friday to federal charges related to the 2024 Manhattan murder, according to an NBC report based on sources familiar with the matter.

Mangione, 28, had pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges associated with the death of Thompson. The Ivy League graduate is set to go on trial in a state murder case in early September, where he will face charges of second-degree murder, criminal possession of a forged instrument, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to Forbes. But if a federal plea deal is reached beforehand, the state may not be able to try him.

Mangione currently faces two stalking-related federal charges, to the U.S. Department of Justice. He will attend a federal court hearing in Manhattan at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, but it is unclear whether he will plead guilty to one or both stalking charges, according to NBC.

He spoke with his lawyers Thursday morning at the Metropolitan Detention Center, NBC New York reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The outlet emphasized that plea negotiations are ongoing and that nothing can be finalized until Mangione accepts a plea deal. Notably, Mangione could also reverse his decision at any point in time, even after the hearing begins.

Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed two counts of the federal indictment in January, eliminating the possibility of capital punishment. But Mangione could face life imprisonment if he is convicted. (RELATED: Luigi Mangione Reportedly Poised To Move Forward With Extreme Emotional Disturbance Defense)

Reports surfaced Tuesday about federal prosecutors and Mangione’s defense attorneys jointly requesting the last-minute conference, according to ABC 7 New York. At the time, legal observers told ABC 7 that there were few reasons, aside from federal plea negotiations, for both parties to desire a conference in such a short time frame.

Michael Bachner, a defense attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor, told ABC 7 that the defense could attempt to get the state case thrown out on the doctrine of double jeopardy if they obtain a federal disposition.

“Once the feds resolve the case, the New York State constitution may say, ‘you can no longer try him,’” Bachner said.

But Bachner argued that even if the state case is dismissed, federal prosecutors cannot use a lighter sentence to negotiate a plea deal.

“You just take a plea in federal court. Your sentence is decided by the judge on the day of sentencing. In the federal court, you do not negotiate with the judge,” Bachner said.

Reports previously surfaced in June about plea negotiations, but a deal was never completed, according to NBC New York.