Luigi Mangione admits to shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO as he pleads guilty in federal case

Luigi Mangione admitted to capturing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as he pleaded responsible Friday to two federal stalking counts, marking a dramatic flip of occasions within the high-profile killing.

Thompson’s household spoke out in a uncommon assertion Friday, calling the plea an “essential step towards justice,” as Mangione’s attorneys filed a movement to dismiss the fees he is dealing with in state courtroom underneath New York’s double jeopardy legislation. 

Within the federal courtroom Friday, Mangione outlined his crime, saying, “After years of tolerating extreme ache from a damaged again … I realized that UnitedHealthcare can be holding its annual investor convention in New York Metropolis.”

Mangione mentioned he realized the precise location of UnitedHealthcare’s convention by emailing the corporate, posing as an investor with greater than $50 billion in capital.

“Earlier than touring to New York, I used a 3-D printer to make a part of a gun, and I outfitted the gun with the silencer and the journal,” he mentioned. “My journey to New York and e-mail to UnitedHealthcare was with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson.”

“I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died,” he mentioned, including, “I knew what I used to be doing was unlawful.”

Mangione pleaded responsible to each stalking counts and U.S. District Decide Margaret Garnett accepted the plea. His sentencing is about for Dec. 18.

As Mangione spoke, members of Thompson’s household, together with his spouse and mom, sat within the entrance row of the courtroom, marking the primary time they appeared in courtroom. Thompson’s spouse typically leaned ahead to observe Mangione reply to the choose’s questions, and when prosecutors outlined their proof of the crime, she wiped away tears.

Earlier than Mangione admitted his guilt, Garnett requested Mangione if he understood that he’d quit his proper to a trial if he pleaded responsible, and Mangione responded sure.

Garnett instructed Mangione a responsible plea would expose him to a attainable life sentence. 

“Do you perceive that?” the choose requested, and Mangione replied, “sure.”

There isn’t a plea settlement between Mangione and the federal authorities, the choose confirmed. Mangione affirmed he was promised nothing and was not threatened or coerced.

Prosecutors in courtroom outlined what would have been proof at trial, together with footage of the capturing and Mangione fleeing the scene.

Thompson’s household mentioned in a press release Friday, “Whereas nothing will ease the ache of dropping him, we’re grateful that the federal justice system has held the particular person liable for this heinous act accountable.” With extra proceedings to come back, the Thompsons added, “we’ll proceed to hunt the justice Brian deserves.”

The responsible plea may complicate Mangione’s homicide prosecution in state courtroom, the place trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8. His federal trial had been set for Jan. 5.

Mangione’s protection attorneys filed a movement in state courtroom on Friday to dismiss the state prices underneath New York’s double jeopardy legislation. 

“New York legislation doesn’t allow an individual to be prosecuted and punished twice for the very same crime underneath a statute that governs successive prosecutions,” protection lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo instructed reporters after Friday’s listening to.

Mangione has “accepted full accountability for the demise of Brian Thompson,” she mentioned, including, “he is being prosecuted twice for a similar conduct.”

Mangione “endured years of extreme, debilitating ache following a damaged again, whereas struggling to navigate our healthcare and medical health insurance methods,” she mentioned. “Just like the hundreds of people that have reached out since this tragedy to share their very own experiences, he believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life.”

Sources accustomed to the considering of prosecutors within the Manhattan District Lawyer’s workplace instructed ABC Information they’re intent on preventing Mangione’s movement to dismiss on double jeopardy grounds, no less than till he receives his federal sentence in December. 

The DA’s workplace mentioned in a press release Friday that it “stays dedicated to looking for justice for Mr. Thompson and his household.”

A number of of Mangione’s supporters appeared emotional throughout Friday’s listening to, with one girl wiping away tears after he entered his plea. Others sat with their mouths agape, showing shocked. 

U.S. Lawyer for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald mentioned after courtroom, “No grievance, political perception or ideological trigger can ever justify homicide.”

“Any one who celebrates, encourages, or excuses actions like these is essentially improper,” McDonald mentioned. “Mangione tried to ship a public message via violence, however the message that emerges right this moment could be very totally different.” 

Executives from UnitedHealthcare additionally attended Friday’s listening to. The corporate mentioned in a press release, “Brian Thompson’s life was reduce brief by an act of violence that devastated everybody who knew and beloved him. We’re grateful to legislation enforcement for bringing Brian’s assassin to justice, and our ideas stay with Brian’s household and family members.”

Thompson was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, in Midtown Manhattan, and Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt. Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg introduced that Mangione was indicted on first-degree homicide prices on Dec. 17, 2024, and federal prosecutors introduced separate prices of stalking and homicide on Dec. 19, 2024. Mangione pleaded not responsible within the separate state and federal circumstances.

The costs in each circumstances narrowed during the last 12 months. Within the federal case, Garnett in January threw out the homicide and firearm prices, leaving two counts: stalking — journey in interstate commerce and stalking — use of interstate amenities.

Within the state case, Decide Gregory Carro final September dismissed the first-degree homicide and terrorism prices. Within the state case, Mangione continues to be charged with homicide within the second-degree, felony possession of a solid instrument within the second-degree, and a number of counts of felony possession of a weapon within the second-degree, third-degree and fourth-degree.

ABC Information’ Emily Shapiro and Tonya Simpson contributed to this report.