Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty to federal charges connected to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to sources familiar with the case.
Mangione, 28, is due to appear before a federal judge in Manhattan on Friday morning in a hearing that was only recently scheduled.
The unexpected court appearance has fueled speculation that prosecutors and his defense team have reached an agreement.
Sources Say Mangione Could Admit to Federal Stalking Charges
Sources told NBC News on Thursday that Mangione could plead guilty to one or both federal stalking charges filed against him.
However, negotiations between his attorneys and federal prosecutors were reportedly still continuing, and the precise terms of any potential agreement had not been disclosed.
Mangione could also change his mind before or during Friday’s hearing.
He has previously pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
The federal case is separate from the state prosecution, in which Mangione faces a second-degree murder charge along with several weapons-possession counts and a charge involving a forged instrument.
Death Penalty Was Previously Sought by Federal Prosecutors
Mangione could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Federal prosecutors had initially sought the death penalty in the case, but U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled in January that capital punishment would not be available.
The possibility of a guilty plea could therefore represent a significant change in the direction of the federal prosecution, particularly if it results in a sentence that avoids the maximum punishment available after a trial.
Plea Could Affect New York State Prosecution
One of the most complicated issues surrounding any potential federal plea is its possible effect on the separate New York case.
Federal and state authorities are generally able to bring separate prosecutions involving the same conduct because they operate as independent sovereigns.
New York law, however, contains double-jeopardy protections that could become relevant if a prior federal prosecution ends with a guilty plea or trial resolution involving the same conduct.
Legal experts have previously suggested that Mangione’s defense team could attempt to use those provisions to challenge the state case if a federal agreement is structured in a particular way.
Former federal prosecutor David S. Weinstein previously said a plea could give Mangione an opportunity to secure a substantially better outcome than he might receive after a conviction at trial.
He also pointed to the potential importance of New York’s double-jeopardy provisions, arguing that the defense could seek dismissal of the state case if the federal resolution covers the same underlying conduct.
Lawyers Previously Tried to Negotiate a Deal
The reported development comes after earlier unsuccessful discussions between Mangione’s attorneys and federal prosecutors.
His defense team includes married attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Karen Friedman Agnifilo.
During previous negotiations, Friedman Agnifilo accused prosecutors of attempting to influence public opinion against her client.
The defense has also been preparing an unusual legal strategy for the state murder case, including a possible psychiatric defense.
Defense Plans to Present Psychiatric Evidence
At a pretrial hearing in June, Mangione’s lawyers indicated that they intended to argue that he was extremely emotionally disturbed when Thompson was allegedly killed.
Judge Gregory Carro subsequently ordered the defense to turn over Mangione’s psychiatric records and directed that records from an earlier confidential hearing be unsealed.
The development suggested that Mangione’s mental state could become an important element of the defense if the state case proceeds to trial.
Anonymous Jury Ordered for High-Profile Trial
Mangione’s latest court appearance also produced a ruling aimed at protecting prospective jurors from the intense public attention surrounding the case.
A judge ruled that the identities and personal information of jurors selected for the trial would remain confidential.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to help prepare questions for prospective jurors, with the court retaining final authority over the questionnaire.
The questions are expected to examine potential jurors’ familiarity with the case, their experiences with the legal system and other factors that could affect their ability to serve impartially.
Mangione Has Developed a High-Profile Following
The case has attracted extraordinary public attention since Mangione was arrested in December 2024.
A sizable group of supporters, many of them women, has regularly appeared outside court proceedings.
Mangione has also received substantial fan mail and online support while being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
An online defense fund has reportedly collected more than $1.5 million since his arrest.
State Trial Preparations Continue Amid Federal Uncertainty
Mangione’s state trial is scheduled to begin next month, while the federal prosecution had been expected to proceed to trial early next year if no plea agreement was reached.
More than 80 news organizations, ranging from major publications to independent journalists, are expected to cover the state proceedings.
Because of the anticipated crowds and media interest, the judge has also approved an overflow courtroom for the state trial, a measure reminiscent of arrangements used during other closely watched criminal proceedings.
Mangione remained silent during his most recent hearing, leaving Friday’s appearance as a potentially pivotal moment in a case that has drawn national and international attention.
