Accused assassin Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to the Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024.
“I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan," Mangione told the federal court Friday morning.
There had been speculation he might plead guilty in the case in order to raise a potential double jeopardy claim before his state-level Murder trial.
Prosecutors assert Mangione, 28, is the hooded man who snuck up behind UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and shot him in the back outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan.
Mangione's defense team could raise a new double jeopardy claim with his guilty plea in the federal case, but it remains unclear if he would be successful.
Judge Margaret Garnett asked Mangione if he understood the maximum sentence he could receive is life in prison.
He answered, "Yes."
Mangione told the judge he called UnitedHealthcare posing as an investor to get information about the conference.
"After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back… I learned UnitedHealthcare would hold an investor’s conference," he said.
Mangione said while the specific location of the investor conference wasn't public, he researched it online. He then called the company.
He said he traveled to the Big Apple with the intent of shooting Brian Thompson.
"On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan," Mangione told the court. "I knew what I was doing."
Garnett is scheduled to be sentencing Dec. 18.
A spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group addressed the court Friday.
"Brian Thompson's life was cut short by an act of violence that devastated everyone who knew and loved him," the said in a statement. "We are grateful to law enforcement for bringing Brian's murderer to justice, and our thoughts remain with Brian's family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Thompson's family also issued a statement through a spokesperson.
"Today's guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family," it reads. "While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable. Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime. We remain mindful that additional proceedings in New York and Pennsylvania are still to come, and we will continue to seek the justice Brian deserves."