Luigi Mangione, accused insurance CEO killer, due in court amid plea deal reports

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk, is scheduled to appear in federal court Friday for a hearing that could see him enter a guilty plea to stalking or related charges. This potential plea deal could steer the high-profile case away from a murder trial.

The killing of Thompson, which occurred in December 2024, drew significant public attention and became a symbol of frustration with the health insurance industry. Mangione's lawyers and prosecutors from the Manhattan US Attorney's Office jointly requested the hearing without specifying a reason. Reports suggest Mangione is expected to plead guilty, though the exact terms of any deal remain unclear and subject to change.

Mangione had previously pleaded not guilty to murder, weapons, and stalking charges brought by federal prosecutors in April 2025. However, federal Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the murder and weapons charges in January due to legal technicalities, removing the possibility of a death penalty sentence, though a life sentence remains possible if convicted on stalking charges. His federal trial was most recently slated for January.

Separately, Mangione faces state charges including terrorism, murder, weapons, and forgery, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The terrorism charges were dismissed in September 2025. A trial for the remaining state charges is scheduled for September 8. If convicted of second-degree murder in the state case, Mangione could face 25 years to life in prison. Should he plead guilty in the federal case, Mangione's defense is likely to argue for dismissal of the state murder charge under New York's double jeopardy law, a move the prosecution is expected to oppose.