Luigi Mangione, the 28-year-old accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty to federal charges, according to sources.
Mangione is scheduled to appear in Manhattan Federal Court for a surprise hearing on Friday morning. Sources close to the matter told NBC News on Thursday that Mangione could plead guilty to one or both of the federal stalking charges filed against him.
Plea negotiations between Mangione's legal team and federal prosecutors are ongoing, but details of any potential plea agreement have not been immediately disclosed. The report also noted that Mangione could change his decision at any time, including during the hearing.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges thus far. Mangione faces a state second-degree murder charge, multiple weapons possession counts, and criminal possession of a forged instrument. His state trial is scheduled to begin next month, with the federal case slated for an early next year trial.
If convicted, Mangione could face a sentence of life in prison. The Justice Department had initially sought the death penalty in his federal case, but U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett blocked that possibility in January.
The development follows a joint letter filed by Mangione's lawyers and prosecutors on Thursday, requesting the hearing to be held Friday at 11 a.m. in Manhattan Federal Court.