On Friday, Luigi Mangione admitted to stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, acknowledging that he followed Thompson to an investor conference and shot him on a New York City street in 2024. Mangione, aged 28, claimed in court that he created a gun using a 3D printer and posed as an investor to gather details about the event. “On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan, and he died,” Mangione stated in Manhattan federal court, entering in shackles but not handcuffs, dressed in a jail uniform.
Thompson’s wife, Paulette, was present in the audience, visibly emotional, as she frequently wiped away tears. Prosecutors intend to seek a life sentence for Mangione, with sentencing scheduled for Dec. 18. Judge Margaret M. Garnett confirmed with Mangione if he understood that he might spend life in prison, to which he calmly replied, “Yes.”
The Thompson family viewed the plea as a significant step toward justice, noting that Mangione faces other cases, including a murder prosecution in New York state. This carries the possibility of a separate lengthy sentence. Federal prosecutors confirmed no deal was offered to Mangione for pleading guilty, nor was the plea an attempt to avoid a death sentence. A federal murder charge had been dismissed earlier, removing that consequence.
It remains unclear why Mangione chose to plead guilty at this time. Following the plea in the unexpectedly scheduled hearing, his defense attorneys sought to dismiss the New York case, invoking double jeopardy laws. Defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo contended that Mangione should not be prosecuted twice for what she termed a “single tragic event.” The Manhattan DA’s office remains dedicated to pursuing the state prosecution and will dispute attempts to halt it.
Video evidence revealed that Thompson was shot from behind by a masked assailant. Authorities found bullets labeled with phrases likening insurers to individuals who avoid claims payouts, implying Mangione’s disdain for the industry. Mangione, from a wealthy Maryland family, explained to the court that after suffering from severe back pain and facing challenges with the health insurance system, he decided to target Thompson. His attorney remarked that he believed the system ruined his life. Despite this, Mangione was not a UnitedHealthcare customer.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch urged those admiring Mangione to see him neither as a hero nor as a messenger for a cause, while U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald rejected the notion of celebrity around assassination. Thompson, an industry figure, spent over 20 years at UnitedHealth Group before leading UnitedHealthcare. His unexpected and violent death deeply affected his family, including his wife and two high school-aged sons. The company expressed gratitude to law enforcement for resolution.
Mangione was detained five days after the murder in Pennsylvania. Images released showed him checking into a hostel, leading to his capture. Although the defense succeeded in getting the federal murder charge dismissed, the prosecution held the right to use evidence from Mangione’s arrest, such as a 3D-printed gun and a notebook outlining his plans. While terrorism charges were dismissed in the state case, the trial approaches with potential obstacles due to the defense’s renewed attempts to have it dismissed.
The Associated Press contributors Dave Collins and Alanna Durkin Richer also contributed to this report.