Mangione could plead guilty in federal case ahead of NY murder trial

A guilty plea is expected to be announced in connection with the federal prosecution of Luigi Mangione during a federal court conference scheduled for Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter. The sources caution that plans for the guilty plea are not final and will not be official until announced at the hearing, set for 11 a.m. Friday. Mangione could still choose not to plead guilty before Friday.

Mangione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 4, 2024, and was captured in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt. He was indicted on first-degree murder charges by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on December 17, 2024, and later on stalking and murder charges by federal prosecutors on December 19, 2024. Mangione pleaded not guilty in both state and federal cases.

The charges against Mangione have narrowed over the past year. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed federal murder and firearm charges in January, and Judge Gregory Carro dismissed first-degree murder and terrorism charges in September. Mangione remains charged in the state case with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a forged instrument, and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon. His state trial is scheduled to begin September 8, while his federal trial was initially set for January 5.