Luigi Mangione is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday in Manhattan federal court, potentially reshaping his separate New York murder prosecution.
A federal hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT. The proceeding appeared on the court calendar earlier this week without advance public notice.
Mangione, 28, faces two federal stalking-related counts resulting in death. Each charge carries a potential life sentence. He initially pleaded not guilty to the federal allegations.
Multiple news outlets reported Thursday that Mangione is expected to plead guilty. His attorneys have not publicly confirmed the reported plea.
The potential agreement could have major implications for Mangione’s pending state case. His attorneys could argue that double-jeopardy protections bar New York prosecutors from pursuing the state charges.
New York law generally prohibits successive prosecutions for the same offense. However, exceptions permit separate cases involving distinct elements or conduct.
Mangione’s state prosecution includes second-degree murder and weapons charges. Prosecutors could argue those allegations differ materially from the federal stalking counts.
“It is incredibly complicated,” defense attorney Paul Shechtman told The New York Times earlier this month.
State prosecutors have already signaled concern about a potential federal resolution. Assistant District Attorney Joel J. Seidemann addressed the issue in a July letter.
Seidemann wrote that prosecutors could alert the federal court if a plea would undermine “a just outcome” in the state prosecution. He also urged the federal judge to consider that potential consequence.
The plea negotiations could still collapse before Friday’s proceeding. Previous discussions reportedly broke down in June.
Mangione’s state trial remains scheduled to begin with jury selection Sept. 8. His federal trial is scheduled for January if prosecutors and defense attorneys fail to reach an agreement.
The cases stem from the Dec. 2, 2024, shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan.
Authorities arrested Mangione days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Investigators allegedly recovered writings criticizing corporate power and the U.S. health care system.
Federal prosecutors initially sought the death penalty against Mangione. A judge later dismissed the federal murder charges, eliminating that potential punishment.
A guilty plea could now become a pivotal development in determining whether Mangione faces trial in state court.
