US insurance executive's killer pleads guilty in New York trial

Luigi M. has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting U.S. insurance executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 4, 2024. "On the morning of December 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan, and he died," M. told a New York court. He faces charges of killing Thompson and stalking.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 18. When asked by Federal Judge Margaret M. Garnett if he understood he could spend the rest of his life in prison, M. responded affirmatively. Thompson's wife, Paulette, was present in the courtroom.

The guilty plea concludes one of two legal proceedings connected to Thompson's death. Lawyers may now attempt to halt a state-level murder trial in New York, set to begin September 8, citing the prohibition against double jeopardy.

M. told the court he stalked Thompson after suffering chronic back pain for years and experiencing difficulties with the health insurance system. However, police and Thompson's employer, UnitedHealthcare, stated M. was never a customer of the company. The cartridges found at the scene bore the words "deny," "defend," and "depose," which critics of the insurance industry use. M. also expressed sharp criticism of health insurers in private writings, according to authorities. He was arrested five days after the shooting in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

“

Ja