'I shot Mr Thompson'- What it was like inside court as Mangione pleaded guilty

On Friday, Luigi Mangione, 28, appeared in a federal courtroom in New York, having changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in a case involving the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson. The defendant arrived at the packed courtroom wearing a beige prison uniform and had his feet shackled. Thompson's family members sat in the front row, visibly emotional throughout the proceedings.

Mangione's lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, informed the judge that her client was prepared to plead guilty. Judge Margaret Garnett then questioned Mangione about his background and medication use, to which he answered tersely but firmly. When asked if he understood the potential prison sentence, Mangione replied in the affirmative.

The defendant then read a statement admitting to the shooting, stating, "I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died." This marked the first time a court had heard Mangione's account of the crime. Mangione explained that he had researched an annual UnitedHealthcare conference in Manhattan and posed as an investor to learn more about the event.

He claimed he then used a 3D printer to create a gun. Mangione admitted to the shooting on December 4, 2024, marking the first public confession of the crime. The judge accepted Mangione's guilty plea, and the defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18. The maximum sentence for the stalking charges is life in prison, with prosecutors recommending between 24-30 years.

However, the final decision on sentencing will be made by Judge Garnett, who will also preside over Mangione's trial on separate state charges related to the murder, which is still scheduled to begin in September.