Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty in US federal court after admitting that he stalked and killed UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione, who had drawn massive public support from those who are angry with the American healthcare system, will receive a maximum life sentence in prison.
He also faces pending state charges, which his lawyers are seeking to have dismissed.
Mangione admits targeting Thompson
Wearing a yellow prison jumpsuit, the 28-year-old confessed in a New York courtroom on Friday that he killed Thompson.
Mangione also admitted to emailing UnitedHealthcare, “posing as an investor” with $50 million in assets to get the exact venue of the company’s annual investor conference in Manhattan.
“My travel to New York and email to UnitedHealthcare was with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson,” he said, as quoted by NBC News.
“On the morning of December 4, 2024, I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died.”
Healthcare grievance as motive
Mangione initially pleaded not guilty to federal charges of interstate stalking resulting in death.
But in his allocution, he explained that he created his pistol using a 3D printer, and fitted it with a silencer and magazine.
He also opened up about his own experiences with the American healthcare system, which drove him to kill Thompson.
“After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back and navigating the obstacles of the health insurance system, I learned that UnitedHealthcare would be holding its annual investor conference in New York City,” he said in a report by Agence France-Presse.
“Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour,” he said.
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Lawyers to pursue double jeopardy
The trial for Mangione’s state charges is set for September 8, while his federal sentencing will be on December 18.
His September trial in New York could also be delayed as his lawyers argue that the state prosecution violates double jeopardy protections.
However, ABC News explained that Mangione’s federal and state cases fall under the “separate sovereigns” doctrine, an exception to the US Constitution’s double jeopardy protection.
This doctrine allows both the federal government and New York state to prosecute the same person for the same conduct.
CEO’s family welcomes guilty plea
Thompson’s family, on the other hand, delivered a public statement after the hearing.
“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,” they said.
“Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime.”
Mangione’s background
Mangione, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a computer science degree, came from a prominent family in Baltimore.
He is also a cousin of Republican state lawmaker Nino Mangione.
Luigi has received significant public support from those who are critical of the private healthcare system.
As a result, the online legal fund for his defence has received over $1.5 million.
His lawyers, Karen Friedman Agnifilo and Marc Agnifilo, previously represented rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.
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