Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to charges of stalking resulting in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at a federal court hearing in New York City on Friday.
Mangione’s lawyers told Judge Margaret Garnett that their client was prepared to plead guilty to the two stalking counts against him in the federal indictment. When asked directly by the judge if he was prepared to plead guilty, Mangione said, “Yes.”
“On the morning of December 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died,” said Mangione, in a statement he read. “When I did so, I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or serious bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal.”
As Mangione gave his statement, Thompson’s family watched from the audience. They sat in the first row, consoling each other and looking sombre and emotional as Mangione spoke.
“After years of enduring severe pain with a broken back” and navigating the health insurance system, he learned about UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference in New York. After researching the event online, Mangione secured information about where it would take place by posing as an investor managing over $50 billion and emailing UnitedHealthcare leadership.
“Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour,” said Mangione.
He added that he used a 3D printer to make a gun, and said he travelled to New York to kill Thompson.
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Before giving his statement, Mangione was sworn in and asked a series of questions about his state of mind, whether he’d taken any medications recently, or under the care of any doctors or mental health professionals. The 28-year-old indicated that his mind was clear before pleading guilty to the two charges: one count of interstate stalking resulting in death, and one count of stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death.
Garnett then explained to Mangione how he might be sentenced, noting that both charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole, as well as potential fines. Garnett further told Mangione that he would have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. The judge set a sentencing date for Dec. 18.
The federal government, after confirming that they had made no deal with Mangione and he was entering an open plea of guilt, said they believe Mangione should serve 292 to 365 months — roughly 24 to 30 years — in prison. Garnett stressed that she will be deciding his sentence based on her own independent assessment and what she feels is reasonable for him to serve.
At the end of the hearing, Mangione was formally asked once again how he would plea to the two counts against him, to which he responded: “Guilty.” The judge then accepted his plea.
Thompson was killed on Dec. 4, 2024 in midtown Manhattan, in a brazen crime that shocked the nation and incited heated debates about the healthcare insurance industry. The bullet casings had the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” written on them, echoing a common phrase used by critics. A five-day nationwide manhunt ensued, as images of the murder, as well as the masked suspect, were shown on television and social media.
In a press conference after the hearing, officials sent their condolences to Thompson’s family, while excoriating those who glorified Mangione. “The defendant committed this murder in an attempt to draw public attention to his dislike of certain businesses,” U.S. attorney Jamie McDonald said. “But we live in a civilised society governed by the rule of law. We debate, we disagree, we protest. We do not commit murder. No grievance, political belief, or ideological cause can ever justify murder.” New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch added, “To those who idolise Luigi Mangione, I say this: Violence is not a cause, murder is not a message, and a killer is certainly not a hero.”
Mangione had previously also faced a charge of murder through the use of a firearm, which carried a possible death penalty sentence, but that federal charge and an additional firearms charge was dropped in January. His federal trial was scheduled to begin in January 2027, with a state murder trial set for Sept. 8 of this year.
In the past, there has been conflict about whether Mangione’s New York state or federal trial would go first. In New York state, he faces a charge of murder in the second degree as well as weapons charges. He’d previously faced terrorism charges that were dismissed as “legally insufficient” in September 2025. Mangione also faces forgery and firearms charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested at an Altoona McDonald’s on Dec. 9 2024. Prior to Friday, Mangione, 28, had pleaded not guilty to all state and federal charges against him.
Immediately after entering his guilty plea in federal court, Karen Friedman Agnifilo and the rest of Mangione’s legal team immediately filed a motion to dismiss his state murder case on grounds of double jeopardy, saying that the dual prosecutions violate his right to due process.
Mangione’s New York state murder trial, is currently scheduled to begin this September. The Manhattan district attorney’s office released a statement after Mangione’s federal guilty plea today, saying, “We are encouraged that Mr. Thompson’s family received a measure of accountability today. While federal sentencing is pending, we are prepared to litigate the defense motions. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr. Thompson and his family.”
A source close to the matter stressed to Rolling Stone the district attorney’s office does not intend to stop pursuing litigation against Mangione until they see how Garnett sentences him in federal court.
The Thompson family also released a statement, saying, “Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family. While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable. Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime. We remain mindful that additional proceedings in New York and Pennsylvania are still to come, and we will continue to seek the justice Brian deserves.”
This story is developing.
From Rolling Stone US
