Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to charges of stalking resulting in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at a federal court hearing in New York City on Friday.
According to The New York Times, Mangione’s lawyers told Judge Margaret Garnett that their client was prepared to plead guilty to the two stalking counts against him in the federal indictment. When asked directly by the judge if he was prepared to plead guilty, Mangione said, “Yes.”
Mangione was then sworn in and asked a series of questions about his state of mind, whether he’d taken any medications recently, or under the care of any doctors or mental health professionals. The 28-year-old indicated that his mind was clear before pleading guilty to the two charges: one count of interstate stalking resulting in death, and one count of stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death.
Garnett then explained to Mangione how he might be sentenced, noting that both charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole, as well as potential fines. Garnett further told Mangione that he would have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. The judge later set a sentencing date for Dec. 18.
Mangione then read a statement about how he came to kill Thomson. He said that, after years of enduring back pain and trying to navigate the health insurance system, he learned about UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference in New York. After researching the event online, Mangione secured information about where it would take place by posing as an investor and emailing UnitedHealthcare leadership.
He said he used a 3D printer to make a gun, then put a silencer on it. “I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan,” Mangione said, adding, “I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal.”
After delivering his statement, Mangione was formally asked how he would plea to the two counts against him, to which he responded: “Guilty.” The judge then accepted his plea.
Thompson was killed on Dec. 4, 2024 in midtown Manhattan, in a brazen crime that shocked the nation and incited heated debates about the healthcare insurance industry. The bullet casings had the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” written on them, echoing a common phrase used by critics. A five-day nationwide manhunt ensued, as images of the murder, as well as the masked suspect, were shown on television and social media.
Mangione had previously also faced a charge of murder through the use of a firearm, which carried a possible death penalty sentence, but that federal charge and an additional firearms charge was dropped in January. His federal trial was scheduled to begin in January 2027, with a state murder trial set for Sept. 8 of this year.
In the past, there has been conflict about whether Mangione’s New York state or federal trial would go first. In New York State, he faces a charge of murder in the second degree as well as weapons charges. He’d previously faced terrorism charges that were dismissed as “legally insufficient” in September 2025. Mangione also faces forgery and firearms charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested at an Altoona McDonald’s on Dec. 9 2024. Prior to Friday, Mangione, 28, had pleaded not guilty to all state and federal charges against him.
It’s not immediately clear how this will impact his New York state murder trial, which is scheduled to begin this September.
This story is developing.
