Accused assassin Luigi Mangione returns to court as plea change speculation swirls
Luigi Mangione, the former Ivy Leaguer accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, returns to federal court Friday for an unexpected pretrial conference.
Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO
The 28-year-old accused assassin Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges in a Manhattan courthouse Friday morning, capping off a whirlwind week with uncertain consequences for his state-level murder trial, which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.
Mangione's defense team could attempt to raise a new double jeopardy claim with his guilty established in the federal case, but it remains unclear if he would prevail.
Judge Margaret Garnett asked Mangione if he understood the maximum sentence he could receive is life in prison. He answered, "Yes."
He told the judge he called UnitedHealthcare posing as an investor to get information about the conference.
Given the opportunity to address the court, Mangione opted to stay seated.
"After years if enduring severe pain from a broken back…I learned UnitedHealthcare will hold an investor’s conference,” he began.
The judge told him to speak louder. Mangione explained that while the specific location of the investor conference wasn't immediately made public, he researched it online. That's when he called the company directly.
He said he traveled to the Big Apple with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson.
"On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in, Manhattan," Mangione told the court.
"I knew what I was doing.”
Federal prosecutors summarized some of the evidence they would have introduced at trial — including security camera video they say shows Mangione arriving in New York on a bus, following Thompson around the Hilton on the morning of the murder, and video of the shooting itself.
The video shows a hooded gunman approach Thompson from behind and shoot him in the back. As he falls and turns around, he's shot again. Then the suspect is seen fleeing on a bicycle.
Investigators recovered Mangione's DNA and fingerprints at or near the crime scene. Police found the suspected murder weapon in his backpack when he was arrested. They also have cellphone evidence and an eyewitness of the shooting.
Garnett scheduled a sentencing hearing for Dec. 18.
Court officers escorted Mangione out of the courtroom.
Mangione's lawyer moves to toss state murder charges, citing double jeopardy after guilty plea
Following Luigi Mangione's guilty plea in federal court, his attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said she has filed a motion to dismiss his state level charges.
"Mr. Mangione has been unfairly treated since the outset in every way and has successfully fought off terrorism charges and the death penalty, while also fighting at the same time. Two simultaneous prosecutions in two jurisdictions who are trying to punish him twice for the exact conduct," Friedman Agnifilo said.
"He's been treated differently from every other defendant charged with this offense in New York. However, thankfully, New York law does not allow this. New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime. Under a statute that governs successive prosecutions. It's also known as the double jeopardy law. Today's guilty plea triggers this statute, and we just filed our motion in state court explaining why the state charges must be dismissed under New York's double jeopardy protections. " she added.
Mangione speaks in court ahead of expected guilty plea
Given the opportunity to address the court, the accused assassin Luigi Mangione opted to stay seated.
"After years if enduring severe pain from a broken back…I learned UnitedHealthcare will hold an investor’s conference,” he began.
The judge told him to speak louder.
Mangione explained that while the specific location of the investor conference wasn't immediately made public, he researched it online.
He had the stated mission to make "healthcare work better for everyone.”
In November 2024 he traveled from outside of New York state to Manhattan, emailed UnitedHealthcare leadership while posing as an investor, requested details on the conference and received an immediate response.
“Before traveling to New York, I used a 3D printer to make a gun,” he admitted.
He said he traveled to the Big Apple with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson.
"On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in, Manhattan," Mangione told the court.
"I knew what I was doing.”
Judge says she will not sentence Mangione today if he enters plea
U.S. Judge Margaret Garnett told Luigi Mangione that he could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison if he changes his plea to guilty — but said she would not hand down a sentence today.
There's no parole in the federal prison system.
The judge asked Mangione if he'd seen a letter from the government with a recommended sentencing range, and he confirmed that he has.
Garnett said she may or may not agree and impose a different sentence — but she will not allow Mangione to withdraw his plea.
Mangione lawyer says he is 'prepared to plead guilty'
Moments after Judge Margaret Garnett took the bench, the lead attorney for accused assassin Luigi Mangione told the court her client was ready to change his plea.
"Mr. Mangione is prepared to plead guilty to the indictment at this time," said Karen Friedman Agnifilo just after 11:15 a.m.
Mangione was then sworn in under oath.
He confirmed his full name, age, and said he obtained a master's degree of computer science at the University of Pennsylvania.
He has never been treated for mental illness or addiction.
When asked if he drank alcohol or took drugs, there was a pause, he said, “I took a sleep medication 2 days ago.”
He confirms his mind is clear today and he understands what is happening today.
Friedman Agnifilo confirmed to the court that Mangione is competent to plead guilty.
Federal prosecutors agreed.
Mangione told the judge he's read the federal indictment and is satisfied with his legal team.
Judge Garnett explained his rights, including the right to plead not guilty, the right to a jury trial, that a jury would have to agree unanimously that he is guilty, that he has a right to testify, and a right to appeal.
He confirmed that he understands, saying “yes” to all questions.
If he pleads guilty, he will have to admit and acknowledge guilt. He confirmed again that he understands.
Mangione arrives in courtroom, judge takes the bench
Accused assassin Luigi Mangione was brought into the courtroom around 11:10 a.m., hands behind him but not cuffed.
His feet appeared to be shackled.
He took his seat between his attorneys at the defense table, and Judge Margaret Garnett took the bench a few minutes later.
Some of the family members seated in the first row were looking in his direction. One older woman wiped her eyes with a tissue.
Also seated with U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald and Thompson family members is Amanda Houle, the head of Southern District's crime division.
Family members, Mangione defense arrive in courtroom ahead of high-stakes conference
Luigi Mangione's defense team arrived in a federal courtroom in New York ahead of their client's highly anticipated pretrial conference Friday, with speculation that he my plead guilty to stalking charges and throw New York prosecutors a curveball weeks before his state-level murder trial.
Defense attorney Jacob Kaplan arrived around 10:34 a.m., with fellow lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Karen Friedman Agnifilo entering a few minutes later and joining him at the defense table.
By 10:40 a.m., 20 minutes before the scheduled start time, there were about 50 members of the press in the courtroom and about 20 members of the public.
A number of Mangione's supporters have previously been granted given city-issued press passes.
The courtroom is relatively quiet, people whispering softly.
Outside, several groups entered through a side door. They were not immediately identifiable.
Several members of victim Brian Thompson’s family also entered the courtroom around 10:55 a.m.. They sat in the front row of the gallery behind the prosecution team. U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald is seated at the end of that row.
Luigi Mangione could plead guilty without plea deal, still face life in prison: legal expert
Mangione could plead guilty without having reached an agreement with federal prosecutors — but what happens next remains an open question, according to Jonathan Turley, a legal scholar and law professor at George Washington University Law School.
"If Mangione simply pleads today, it is not a plea deal and the judge would still be allowed to impose the maximum life sentence without parole," he wrote in an X thread Friday. "That is the highest penalty available in both the state and federal cases."
Some experts have said that they don't expect Mangione to get the maximum penalty.
The defendant could be leaning into that possibility, Turley wrote.
"The reason for the plea could be as simple as preferring to be imprisoned in the federal system or the hope that a plea is the only way to offer a judge the ability to grant some leeway," he continued. "They may view Judge Margaret Garnett as the best likelihood for some reduction."
Mangione's legal saga will be far from over regardless of what happens in federal court later this morning. Manhattan prosecutors are expected to fight any potential double jeopardy claims he could raise in the future, and he has separate lesser charges pending in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested.
"The fact is that, no matter how these cases go, many will be disappointed that he is not facing terrorism charges in a case that is a classic terroristic attack," Turley continued. "He selected his victim to send a message and the question is whether the sentence will also send a message."
Courthouse filling up ahead of highly anticipated hearing
There is a group of a couple dozen people waiting in line to get inside the courtroom.
There are about 30 members of the press and at least 15 members of the public already waiting, standing and talking. Some are sitting on the floor.
The hearing is expected to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
Images from outside the courthouse show a long line before the doors opened to the public.
One man was pictured outside carrying a sign reading, "Justice not vengeance."
Mangione plea in federal case would be a gamble to avoid state trial, expert says
Luigi Mangione is expected to change his plea on federal stalking charges later this morning after Southern District of New York prosecutors and his defense team asked Judge Margaret Garnett to schedule a last-minute pretrial conference earlier this week.
"If he pleads guilty here today, are his troubles over? Not necessarily," Mauro said from outside the courthouse Friday morning. "First of all, the state charges against him could survive."
Since news of the unexpected pretrial conference emerged earlier this week, some experts have speculated that Mangione could plead guilty in federal court in order to raise a double jeopardy defense in his state murder case, which is scheduled for jury selection to begin on Sept. 8.
"It's about a 50-50 shot, in my estimation," Mauro said.
He also faces lesser charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested five days after the New York City assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty in federal case
Accused UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty to the federal charges against him at a surprise pretrial conference Friday, a move that could upend his state-level murder trial just weeks before it's supposed to begin in New York City.
State and federal prosecutors and Mangione's legal team have not responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
"There is no deal," a senior Justice Department source told Fox News Thursday. However, the source added, Mangione is allowed to plead guilty in open court Friday if he so chooses.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that the 28-year-old former Ivy Leaguer is expected to plead guilty in his federal stalking case, citing a person familiar with the matter. Mangione could change his mind, however.
Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector and Fox News contributor, suggested that Mangione may still enter a guilty plea without any kind of deal in place in a gamble to get out of serving time in a state prison. "It wasn't a crazy read that it looked like a deal, because even the District Attorney of New York, in the state case, filed a letter opposing any deal," he said. "But that said, it just didn't fly for me, and it looks like he's just gonna plead guilty."
Live Coverage begins here