Mangione lawyers to meet federal prosecutors amid reports of plea deal

Attorneys representing Luigi Mangione, accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York, are meeting with federal prosecutors this Friday as reports suggest a potential plea deal may be in the works. Mangione is currently facing two federal stalking charges, which could result in life imprisonment without parole.

The exact charges being discussed have not been confirmed. A scheduled conference for 11 am on Friday is all that's known for now, according to Jamie McDonald, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Mangione is also set to go through a separate state trial, where he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The possibility of a plea deal does not guarantee its approval, as it must be approved by the court.

The charges stem from allegations that Mangione traveled and used surveillance to carry out Thompson's murder. A federal judge dismissed two other charges in January, one of which could have resulted in the death penalty. Mangione's legal team has previously argued against dual prosecutions in both state and federal courts. While both trials have been allowed to proceed for now, a guilty plea in the federal case could potentially lead to arguments of double jeopardy in the state trial.

New York's state constitution also prohibits double jeopardy, which could further complicate Mangione's state trial. His state trial is set to commence on September 8th, while the federal trial has been slated for January 2027.