CEO's Alleged Killer Nears Plea Deal

Luigi Mangione, 28, accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has reportedly agreed to a federal plea deal. Mangione had previously pleaded not guilty to federal stalking charges, with other more serious federal charges dismissed earlier this year.

He is scheduled for a conference in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where the terms of any plea agreement will be reviewed. While reports cite anonymous sources, the deal is not final until accepted in court, and Mangione could still change his mind. His federal trial was slated to begin in January.

Separately, Mangione faces eight felony charges in a state case, including second-degree murder, for Thompson's killing on December 4, 2024. Thompson was shot outside a luxury hotel in midtown Manhattan. Evidence found at the scene included shell casings with words potentially referencing health insurance claim denial strategies.

Following his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after the shooting, a notebook was found in Mangione's possession containing passages about health struggles and revenge. He is currently held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Mangione's legal team previously indicated plans for a psychiatric defense in the state trial but withdrew this intention after the judge's ruling on psychiatric records. Discussions for a federal plea deal also reportedly occurred in June but broke down. Mangione's court appearances have drawn supporters who view him as a hero.