The dramatic turn that could derail the murder trial in the case that shook the US

Luigi Mangione, the defendant in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty tomorrow in the federal case, according to the New York Times and NBC. The move could cancel the federal trial but complicate the state trial scheduled to open next month. Mangione could still face life in prison.

Luigi Mangione, the defendant in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty tomorrow (Friday) in the federal case against him, according to the New York Times and NBC, citing sources familiar with the matter. The surprising move could prevent the federal trial but also complicate and even derail the state murder trial scheduled to open in New York next month. The federal prosecution and his defense attorneys jointly requested an urgent hearing before Judge Margaret Garnett. It has not yet been published which charges he will admit to and what the terms of the plea deal are. Mangione, 28, could still be sentenced to life in prison, as each of the two federal charges carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. If the plea is approved, the federal trial scheduled to open on January 5 will be canceled. The development could give the defense an advantage in the parallel proceeding, where he is charged with second-degree murder, weapons offenses, and forgery. His trial is scheduled to open on September 8, and if convicted he faces 25 years to life in prison. After a federal conviction, his attorneys are expected to argue that New York law requires the murder charge to be dismissed. The Manhattan prosecution is expected to oppose. Mangione is accused of shooting Thompson to death outside the Hilton hotel on December 4, 2024. He was arrested in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt.