NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione confessed in court to the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as he pled guilty to two federal counts related to stalking.
Dressed in a tan prison uniform, Mangione addressed the court, recounting, “Having suffered excruciating back pain for years, I discovered that UnitedHealth was planning an investor conference in New York City.”
He narrated his findings, saying, “I did some research online and noted this conference hosted by the country’s largest healthcare organization, whose mission is to improve the healthcare system for everyone.”
Mangione further explained how he discovered the conference’s precise location by pretending to be an investor with over $50 million to secure more details directly from UnitedHealthcare via email.
“I traveled to New York and emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to murder Brian Thompson,” he recounted. “I shot Mr. Thompson in the back,” acknowledging, “I was fully aware that my actions were illegal.”
Mangione pleaded guilty to both stalking counts and U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett accepted the plea. His sentencing is set for Dec. 18.
As Mangione spoke, members of Thompson’s family, including his wife and mother, sat in the front row of the courtroom, marking the first time they appeared in court.
Garnett told Mangione a guilty plea would expose him to a possible life sentence.
The guilty plea could complicate Mangione's murder prosecution in state court, where trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
