Mangione admits killing healthcare CEO and pleads guilty to federal charges

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mangione, pictured here in May, appeared in court in New York on Friday

Luigi Mangione has admitted to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after pleading guilty to federal charges of interstate stalking resulting in death.

"I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died," the 28-year-old admitted in Manhattan federal court on Friday.

Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was shot from behind on 4 December, 2024 as he walked into a hotel in midtown Manhattan. Following the plea hearing, his family issued a statement calling it "an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family".

Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces state charges, although his lawyers are seeking to get those dismissed following his guilty plea.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

"I shot Mr Thompson" - Inside the court as Mangione pleaded guilty

Mangione had initially pleaded not guilty in both the federal and state cases against him for the shooting death of Thompson.

At a hearing in Manhattan federal court on Friday, Mangione's lawyers announced that he intended to plead guilty to the two federal charges against him.

Wearing a beige prison outfit, Mangione appeared solemn and serious throughout the hearing.

Reading a statement aloud to the court, he admitted to planning the attack ahead of time, crossing state lines with the intent to kill and using a gun he printed on a 3-D-printer and equipped with a silencer and magazine.

He told the court he was driven to kill Thompson because of his experience with the healthcare system "after years of enduring severe pains from a broken back".

Mangione stated that he had learned UnitedHealthcare would hold an annual investor conference in Manhattan in December 2024.

He then travelled to New York for the event, he told the court.

"I emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson," Mangione said in his statement. "On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024 I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan in his back."

The sentencing for the federal charges is scheduled for 18 December.

Thompson's family said in a statement that they will continue to seek justice in both New York state and Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested.

"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.

"Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime," the family added.

Prosecutors have recommended Mangione serve between 24-30 years in prison. But Judge Margaret Garnett said in court that she ultimately decides his sentence.

Garnett explained to Mangione that the recommendation is not binding and that the maximum sentence is life in prison along with financial penalties. There is no parole in the federal system.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Luigi mangione after his arrest in 2024

Mangione's guilty plea could now throw a wrench into his New York state case.

With the trial slated to begin in September, he faces eight state charges including second degree murder, possession of a forged instrument (for alleged fake driver's license), and six counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

On the steps of the court on Friday, his lawyers argued that because he already pleaded guilty to federal charges, the state case runs afoul of double jeopardy – a constitutional protection that prevents an individual from being prosecuted twice for the same crime.

"New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime," his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said.

Friedman Agnifilo also said that, in making a guilty plea in federal court, Mangione has accepted "full responsibility" for the death of Brian Thompson.

But the Manhattan District Attorney's office says it is prepared to go ahead with the state prosecution.

"We are encouraged that Mr Thompson's family received a measure of accountability today," the statement said. "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."

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

How a murder case fuelled a culture war

PreviousNext0:36Wildfire alert sounds live on The One Show. 00:00:36, play videoWildfire alert sounds live on The One Show0:42Why is Selena Gomez being sued? 00:00:42, play videoWhy is Selena Gomez being sued?1:02'Overwhelming' smell of smoke in Stourbridge. 00:01:02, play video'Overwhelming' smell of smoke in Stourbridge1:27How an oil slick started washing up on an Iranian beach. 00:01:27, play videoHow an oil slick started washing up on an Iranian beach0:55Four bargain picks for your FPL team. 00:00:55, play videoFour bargain picks for your FPL team1:10Meet the three-year-old who phoned 999 when his mum fainted. 00:01:10, play videoMeet the three-year-old who phoned 999 when his mum fainted0:58Flip-flops and sandals at work - what's OK in a heatwave? 00:00:58, play videoFlip-flops and sandals at work - what's OK in a heatwave?1:24The race to save thousands of animals. 00:01:24, play videoThe race to save thousands of animals0:42Man, 102, dies in hospital after alleged pub assault. 00:00:42, play videoMan, 102, dies in hospital after alleged pub assault1:30Will your selfies still exist in 1,000 years? 00:01:30, play videoWill your selfies still exist in 1,000 years?0:57'Government can do more to protect artists from AI' 00:00:57, play video'Government can do more to protect artists from AI'1:19'A fake squishy toy exploded in my son's face' 00:01:19, play video'A fake squishy toy exploded in my son's face'1:05Eurovision changes rules for countries at war. 00:01:05, play videoEurovision changes rules for countries at war1:38Israeli settlers besieging Palestinian families in West Bank. 00:01:38, play videoIsraeli settlers besieging Palestinian families in West Bank0:59ICE agents to be equipped with electric shock gloves. 00:00:59, play videoICE agents to be equipped with electric shock gloves0:58Why are 'human fridges' being sold in Japan? 00:00:58, play videoWhy are 'human fridges' being sold in Japan?1:11'I steal men's Strava crowns' 00:01:11, play video'I steal men's Strava crowns'0:59Amazon is using Twitch to train generative AI. 00:00:59, play videoAmazon is using Twitch to train generative AI1:14'For nine years I was the only woman boatbuilder' 00:01:14, play video'For nine years I was the only woman boatbuilder'0:40How will heatwave affect cost of Christmas dinners? 00:00:40, play videoHow will heatwave affect cost of Christmas dinners?Top storiesJason Arday, ex-Cambridge professor at centre of plagiarism row, found dead

Fires prompt national alert as 19 homes destroyed

Temporary ban on sale of disposable BBQs over wildfire risk

Five years after the Taliban swept to power, does the West have any influence?

'Row professor found dead' and 'barbecue ban'

Like Greg James, I lost my dog - and my grief was overwhelming and complicated

I had days to live - but five months later I'm still making memories

How is parkour helping these seniors avoid injuries? VideoHow is parkour helping these seniors avoid injuries?

I wish I had been a more rebellious teenager, says Bella Ramsey

Many Canadians are boycotting the US, so this is where they're travelling instead

Air India pilot's reported cannabis test: What it can and can't tell investigators

'Glam helps mentality' says sprinter Amy Hunt, but can it give you that winning edge?

An edifying look at modern architecture in Britain

Is the rules-based order ending and what might replace it?

Puzzle lovers: Here are more clues about Ludwig's next conundrums

Does the UK's north-south divide still exist?

Jason Arday, ex-Cambridge professor at centre of plagiarism row, found dead

Fires prompt national alert as 19 homes destroyed

'Row professor found dead' and 'barbecue ban'

Derailed Essex train leads to travel chaos

Many Canadians are boycotting the US, so this is where they're travelling instead

Mangione admits killing healthcare CEO and pleads guilty to federal charges

Britain's Finlay Tarling dies in Volta a Portugal accident

Hodgkinson beaten to European gold by rival Werro

I wish I had been a more rebellious teenager, says Bella Ramsey