Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH) CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty in the federal case involving Thompson’s death.
Guilty Plea Expected
Mangione is expected to plead guilty as early as Friday in the federal case accusing him of stalking and killing Thompson, the Associated Press reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter
The AP source also cautioned that Mangione could still change his mind.
Mangione is scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court Friday for a hastily scheduled hearing, the report said. The federal case involves two counts of stalking, though it was not immediately clear which charge or charges he may plead guilty to.
Mangione, 28, also faces a separate state case in New York. His state murder trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
State Case
A federal guilty plea could affect the state prosecution under New York’s double jeopardy protections, although it is not automatic, it said.
Mangione’s lawyers could ask the state court to dismiss the charges if the federal case is resolved first. State prosecutors have argued that their case is separate and should continue, according to the report.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty and previously objected to facing two trials, telling a judge in February, “It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two.”
In June, Mangione’s lawyers withdrew plans to pursue an extreme emotional disturbance defense in the state case. Under New York law, the defense could reduce a murder conviction to manslaughter.
Thompson Killing
Prosecutors allege Mangione traveled to New York City and ambushed Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, as the UnitedHealthcare CEO was heading to UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference.
Mangione was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Evidence collected from his backpack included a 3D-printed pistol that investigators said matched the weapon used in the killing and a notebook that authorities say described his intent to kill an insurance executive.
UnitedHealth Scrutiny
The development comes as UnitedHealth faces broader scrutiny from shareholders. A recent derivative lawsuit against current and former leadership alleges corporate governance failures and other misconduct, including allegations involving Medicare Advantage operations.
The complaint also names former UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson and alleges that executives sold more than $237 million of UnitedHealth stock during the period covered by the lawsuit.
Mangione’s decision to plead guilty comes after several setbacks for his defense. In January, a federal judge took the death penalty off the table but ruled that prosecutors could use items collected from Mangione’s backpack as evidence.
Trading Metrics, Technical Analysis
UnitedHealth shares were up 0.013% at $399.11 in premarket trading Friday. The stock closed Thursday’s regular session down 1.61% at $399.06.
UnitedHealth stock has traded between a 52-week high of $461.62 and a 52-week low of $255.96.
Over the past 12 months, UNH shares have declined 13.68%.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings show a negative short-term ranking and positive medium- and long-term rankings.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image: Patrick Breen via Imagn Images
Recent Comments