Luigi Mangione has admitted before a federal judge in New York that he killed UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, reversing his previous legal defense. The 28-year-old confessed on Friday to shooting the executive in Manhattan in December 2024.
Addressing the court, Mangione stated that on the morning of 4 December he shot Thompson in Manhattan and he died, adding that he was fully aware his actions were illegal. He also confessed to manufacturing the firearm used in the shooting with a 3D printer.
Mangione, the son of a wealthy family from Baltimore, explained that his actions stemmed from years of severe pain and struggles with the American health insurance system. Thompson, a father of two, was chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance provider in the United States, when he was killed.
Legal strategy and dual court cases
The admission marks a fundamental change in strategy for Mangione, who had previously entered a plea of not guilty. He faces dual prosecutions: state murder charges in New York, where trial is set for 8 September, and federal charges of harassment resulting in death.
His defense lawyers are attempting to block the New York state trial, arguing that his federal guilty plea prevents him from being tried twice for the same facts. Legal experts have offered differing views on the rationale behind the strategy.
Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, told AFP that the motives were unclear, suggesting that a sentence at the federal level could be less severe. Daniel Richman, a professor at Columbia University, noted that Mangione's lawyers may believe detention conditions will be better in a federal prison.
Public reaction and political divide
The case has deeply divided American public opinion. Conservative figures, led by Donald Trump, have demanded that an example be made of Mangione. Conversely, numerous supporters who have attended his court appearances view him as a crusader against health insurance companies, which they accuse of prioritizing profits over healthcare.
Tensions were visible following the hearing on Friday, 14 August, when a man shouted that America loved Luigi as relatives of Thompson departed the courthouse.
Jamie McDonald, prosecutor for the Southern District of New York, responded by stating that an assassination must not be allowed to serve as a path to fame.
