Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in a federal courtroom in New York on Friday to federal stalking charges stemming from the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson, according to CNN and The New York Times. Mangione admitted to planning and carrying out the December 2024 killing on a Manhattan street, bringing an end to more than a year and a half of intense legal wrangling and public spectacle.

Courtroom Scene and Guilty Plea

The 28-year-old defendant arrived in federal court wearing a beige prison uniform over a white T-shirt, with his feet shackled and his hands held behind his back, according to reporting by the BBC. United States marshals did not handcuff him as he entered the packed courtroom, which accommodated a crowd of press, observers, supporters, and court staff who secured seats through a lottery system. In the front row, seated directly behind the prosecution team, family members of Brian Thompson watched the proceedings, appearing visibly emotional at times, the BBC reported.

Before Judge Margaret Garnett took the bench, Mangione reviewed paperwork and conferred with his defense attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, as detailed by the BBC. When the hearing commenced, Mangione formally admitted to the killing and detailed aspects of his planning, according to The Guardian and BBC coverage. The guilty plea addresses the federal stalking charges filed against him in connection with the Midtown Manhattan attack.

Federal Charges and Legal Proceedings

Mangione faced federal prosecution following his capture and the subsequent investigation into the high-profile shooting of the healthcare executive. Federal prosecutors built their case around stalking and related firearms charges, leading up to Friday’s unexpected guilty plea.

With the federal guilty plea entered before Judge Garnett, the case moves toward its next scheduled judicial steps without the need for a trial on these specific federal counts.