Luigi Mangione set to appear in court for expected guilty plea in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Luigi Mangione is set to appear in federal court on Friday for a hearing where he is expected to plead guilty in relation to the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to sources familiar with the case. However, Mangione could still potentially change his plea, as the matter is still under negotiation. The hearing comes after previous talks broke down in June.

Mangione, 28, was charged by both federal and state prosecutors with ambushing Thompson outside a New York City hotel on December 4, 2024. A trial on state murder charges is scheduled to begin next month, though the outcome of that trial could be affected if Mangione pleads guilty in the federal case. Both the federal and state cases carry the potential for a life sentence behind bars.

A federal judge recently dismissed additional charges that could have resulted in the possibility of the death penalty for Mangione. The New York State double jeopardy protections could prevent state prosecution if the federal case is resolved first. Mangione had previously expressed his displeasure at the prospect of having to go through two trials, stating that it amounted to double jeopardy.