Justice Department prosecutors and defense attorneys for accused assassin Luigi Mangione asked a U.S. judge Tuesday to set a conference Friday morning — prompting speculation that the 28-year-old could agree to a plea deal in his federal case days before he's set to go to trial on state murder charges.
Neither side immediately responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital after an anonymous ABC report said the purpose of the hearing was for the sides to discuss a potential agreement.
A two-sentence letter for the judge requesting the hearing makes no mention of a purpose.
LUIGI MANGIONE JUDGE SAYS JURORS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS AFTER THREATS AND HARASSMENT OF WITNESSES
"The parties write jointly to request a conference with the Court," it reads. "Based on communications with Chambers, we understand that the Court is available to hold the conference on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m."
Mangione is accused of stalking UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, and shooting him in the back outside a New York City Hilton hotel in December 2024.
Jury selection in the state case is set for Sept. 8, and the federal trial is tentatively expected to kick off in early 2027.
In July, Manhattan prosecutors responded to earlier reports of a potential plea deal in a letter to New York Judge Gregory Carro.
"The People are aware of public reporting regarding the possibility of a guilty plea in defendant's federal case," wrote assistant DA Joel Seidemann. "If a proposed federal guilty plea would operate to defeat a just outcome in the state prosecution, the People could advise the federal district court of that consequence, and the court should consider that fact in deciding whether to accept the plea, as well as any opposition by the victim's family to such a resolution."
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Carro issued an order Tuesday protecting the identities and addresses of jurors in the upcoming case, finding that witnesses have been threatened, doxxed and harassed already, and that "individuals identifying themselves as supporters of the defendant engaged in inflammatory and hostile public statements outside the courthouse and announced their intention to attend jury selection to attempt to speak to prospective jurors."
Prosecutors had requested the move.
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The defense has separately asked for the trial to be livestreamed — which experts have said is unlikely under current New York law.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison on the state charges if convicted, and up to life without parole federally.
