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 “necessary step towards justice,” as Mangione’s attorneys filed a movement to dismiss the costs he is dealing with in state court docket beneath New York’s double jeopardy regulation. 

Within the federal courtroom Friday, Mangione outlined his crime, saying, “After years of putting up with extreme ache from a damaged again … I discovered UnitedHealth can be holding an investor convention in New York Metropolis.”

“I then researched the occasion on-line. I noticed the annual convention of America’s largest healthcare group with the said mission to make the healthcare system higher for everybody,” he stated.

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

“I traveled to New York and emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to kill Brian Thompson … I shot Mr. Thompson within the again,” he stated, including, “I knew what I used to be doing was unlawful.”

Mangione pleaded responsible to each stalking counts and U.S. District Choose 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 court docket. Thompson’s spouse typically leaned ahead to look at 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 hand over his proper to a trial if he pleaded responsible, and Mangione responded sure.

Garnett informed Mangione a responsible plea would expose him to a doable life sentence. 

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

There is no such thing as 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 court docket outlined what would have been proof at trial, together with footage of the capturing and Mangione fleeing the scene.

Thompson’s household stated in a press release Friday, “Whereas nothing will ease the ache of shedding him, we’re grateful that the federal justice system has held the particular person accountable 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 might complicate Mangione’s homicide prosecution in state court docket, 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 court docket on Friday to dismiss the state costs beneath New York’s double jeopardy regulation. 

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

Mangione has “accepted full accountability for the demise of Brian Thompson,” she stated, 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 stated. “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.”

The Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace stated earlier it was ready to maneuver ahead with the state case, arguing stalking and homicide tackle totally different harms.

The DA’s workplace stated in a press release Friday, “Whereas federal sentencing is pending, we’re ready to litigate the protection motions.” The DA’s workplace stated it “stays dedicated to searching for justice for Mr. Thompson and his household.”

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

U.S. Legal professional for the Southern District of New York Jamie McDonald stated after court docket, “No grievance, political perception or ideological trigger can ever justify homicide.”

“Any one that celebrates, encourages, or excuses actions like these is essentially unsuitable,” McDonald stated. “Mangione tried to ship a public message by means of violence, however the message that emerges in the present day could be very totally different.” 

Executives from UnitedHealthcare additionally attended Friday’s listening to. The corporate stated in a press release, “Brian Thompson’s life was lower quick by an act of violence that devastated everybody who knew and liked him. We’re grateful to regulation 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 Legal professional Alvin Bragg introduced that Mangione was indicted on first-degree homicide costs on Dec. 17, 2024, and federal prosecutors introduced separate costs of stalking and homicide on Dec. 19, 2024. Mangione pleaded not responsible within the separate state and federal circumstances.

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

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

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