Arabic version: مانجيوني يقر بالذنب في قتل طومسون

According to ABC News, Luigi Mangione admitted in court to fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges with intent to kill. The plea averts a federal trial in the closely watched case.

Mangione, 28, told the court he researched UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor conference in December 2024 after suffering a broken back and navigating the health insurance system. He said he used a 3D printer to make part of a gun and travelled to New York intending to kill Thompson. “I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died,” Mangione told the court.

Thompson, who led UnitedHealth Group’s insurance unit, was shot dead early on December 4, 2024, outside a New York City hotel where an investor conference was taking place. His widow, Paulette, sat in the front row of the courtroom gallery with other family members. In a statement, the family called the plea an “important step toward justice” and said it looked to the court to ensure sentencing reflected the crime’s severity.

US District Judge Margaret Garnett said Mangione could face a maximum life sentence on each count and scheduled sentencing for December 18. His lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said there was no plea agreement with prosecutors. Judge Garnett had thrown out federal murder and weapons charges in January 2026, eliminating the possibility of a federal death penalty.

Mangione still faces state charges, including murder, in Manhattan. A state trial is scheduled for September 8 before Justice Gregory Carro. The federal plea could allow him to seek dismissal of the state murder charge under New York’s double jeopardy law, while Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office would oppose such a move.