Mangione pleads guilty in federal case over CEO killing

Luigi Mangione has admitted in court to killing health insurance executive Brian Thompson, pleading guilty to federal stalking charges with intent to kill. This plea agreement will prevent a federal trial in the high-profile case, which had become a symbol of public frustration with the health insurance industry.

The guilty plea may also allow Mangione to seek the dismissal of state murder charges. He had previously pleaded not guilty in April 2025 to murder, weapons, and stalking charges filed by Manhattan federal prosecutors. In a significant ruling in January 2026, US District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed the murder and weapons charges on legal technicalities, removing the possibility of the death penalty in the federal case. Mangione still faces a potential life sentence without parole on the remaining stalking charges.

Separately, Mangione pleaded not guilty in December 2024 to state terrorism, murder, weapons, and forgery charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The terrorism charges were dismissed by a judge in September 2025, and a trial for the remaining state charges is scheduled for September 8. If convicted of second-degree murder in the state case, Mangione would face 25 years to life in prison. Resolving the federal case could enable Mangione to argue against prosecution for the same conduct under New York's double jeopardy law, though Mr. Bragg's office is expected to oppose this, asserting the charges are legally distinct.