LIVE: Luigi Mangione to plead guilty in federal CEO shooting case, lawyers tell judge
Luigi Mangione, the accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter, intends to plead guilty in the federal case against him, his lawyers told a Manhattan federal court judge Friday.
The decision could have serious implications on his upcoming state trial for the 2024 killing of Brian Thompson.
Luigi Mangione guilty plea
What we know:
Mangione's hearing before District Judge Margaret Garnett started at 11 a.m. in federal court in Lower Manhattan.
The New York Times first reported Thursday that Mangione was expected to plead guilty at the hearing, but the report did not specify what he would plead guilty to.
Will Mangione plead guilty in federal court tomorrow?
Criminal defense attorney James Kousouros breaks down why Mangione's legal team could pursue a guilty plea for his federal trial. FOX 5 NY's Antwan Lewis breaks it down.
In the federal case, Mangione is charged with two counts of stalking resulting in death, which could result in life in prison if found guilty.
The last-minute hearing fueled speculation about a possible deal with federal prosecutors to avoid a trial, which was due to start in January. It was scheduled at the request of both prosecutors and Mangione's defense team.
Double jeopardy?
Big picture view:
A guilty plea in federal court could short-circuit Mangione's imminent New York state trial, where he faces charges including second-degree murder for the 2024 killing of Brian Thompson.
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Mangione's attorneys would likely argue that, under New York's strong double-jeopardy laws, he cannot be tried by the state after pleading guilty in the federal case.
The Manhattan District Attorney is likely to contend that Mangione could still be tried because the federal case relates to stalking, while the state charged him with murder.
Luigi Mangione back in court as defense fights for live broadcast of New York murder trial
Luigi Mangione appeared in court as his defense team fights media limits and demands live broadcast coverage of his NYC murder trial.
The state trial is currently set to start in September.
Luigi Mangione case
The backstory:
Mangione is accused of stalking and gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024.
Authorities said shell casings found on the scene were etched with the words "delay," "deny" and "depose" – apparently reflecting criticism of the health care industry.
Judge sets January 2027 federal trial date for Luigi Mangione
A federal judge in Lower Manhattan has officially set the trial date for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson more than a year and half ago.
Mangione was arrested five days after the shooting at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, more than 200 miles west of New York City.
The Source: This article includes information reported by The New York Times and Fox 5 NY's Robert Moses.