Accused UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty to the federal charges against him at a surprise pretrial conference Friday, according to local reports, a move that could upend his state-level murder trial just weeks before it's supposed to begin in New York City.
State and federal prosecutors and Mangione's legal team have not responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
But two of the city's major newspapers, the New York Post and New York Times, both reported Thursday that the 28-year-old former Ivy Leaguer is expected to plead guilty in his federal stalking case.
LUIGI MANGIONE HEARING SET FOR FRIDAY STIRS PLEA DEAL SPECULATION IN HIS FEDERAL CASE
Mangione is accused of following UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to a Manhattan Hilton hotel on the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, and shooting him in the back hours before a business conference was supposed to take place there. Surveillance video shows a man in a hoodie approach Thompson from behind and open fire with a handgun — the same weapon authorities allege Mangione had in his backpack when he was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald's five days later.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases previously. His defense team has had some success already, convincing judges in both cases to dismiss the most serious charges. As a result, he no longer would face capital punishment if convicted in a federal trial, and would not face life without parole if convicted in New York state.
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He could still face a maximum sentence of life without parole in federal prison if convicted in that case — but experts say he would probably avoid the stiffest possible sentence even if convicted by a jury.
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"Rarely somebody with no background, who’s educated, gets the maximum sentences," said Donna Rotunno, a Chicago criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor. "Is he looking at minimum sentences? No. But at the end of the day, he’s benefiting from more serious charges being dismissed."
He is still likely looking at decades behind bars, and any legal issues arising from a potential plea deal could also delay the start of his state trial, which is supposed to begin with jury selection on Sept. 8, she said.
This is a developing story.
