Luigi Mangione, the 28-year-old accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, has requested a surprise court hearing set for Friday morning in Manhattan Federal Court. The sudden request has led to speculation that Mangione may seek a plea deal, according to NBC News.
Mangione's lawyers and prosecutors jointly filed a letter requesting the hearing, which has been approved. In the federal court case, Mangione faces two counts of stalking resulting in death. Charges including murder through use of a firearm were previously dismissed. He also faces separate state charges of second-degree murder, multiple counts of weapon possession, and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
If a plea deal is accepted in the federal case, New York's double jeopardy rules would likely result in the dismissal of his state charges. This development follows unsuccessful plea discussions between Mangione's legal team and federal prosecutors earlier this year.
Defense Strategy and Previous Hearings
Mangione's defense team has previously explored a psychiatric defense, intending to argue that he was "extremely emotionally disturbed" at the time of the alleged killing. During a pretrial hearing in June, presiding judge Gregory Carro ordered the defense to produce Mangione's psychiatric records and unseal records from a prior secret hearing. The defense has accused prosecutors of attempting to "manipulate public opinion" against their client.
This surprise hearing request comes just days after Mangione appeared in court on Tuesday. During that appearance, a judge ruled that the jury in his trial will remain anonymous due to the high-profile nature of the case. Mangione has attracted a notable following, with supporters, primarily women, frequently attending his court appearances.