New York murder trial for UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer delayed over double jeopardy claim
Luigi Mangione's state murder trial was postponed after he pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges and his lawyers argued that New York's double jeopardy law bars a second prosecution.
A Manhattan judge has delayed the state murder trial of Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. The trial, originally set for Sept. 8, was pushed to Dec. 10 while prosecutors consider a defense motion that the state's double-jeopardy statute prevents a second prosecution after Mangione's recent federal plea.
Mangione, 28, entered a guilty plea on Aug. 14 to two federal stalking-resulting-in-death counts, offenses that carry a possible life sentence. He admitted to ambushing Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel, saying, "I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan," during the hearing. Federal prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald, said they will seek the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The defense argues that New York law bars the state from pursuing murder, weapons and forgery charges that were previously filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. State prosecutors have objected to the claim and have until Oct. 9 to respond.
Thompson was shot on Dec. 4, 2024, while preparing for an investment conference. Surveillance video, DNA, ballistics and fingerprint evidence linked Mangione to the scene. He was arrested five days later in Pennsylvania after being identified from police-released images. If convicted in state court, Mangione faces a sentence of 25 years to life for murder.