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Accused murderer Luigi Mangione could soon reach a plea deal in his federal case, with discussions set for Friday in Manhattan federal court. Mangione is charged with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. This marks the second time plea negotiations have occurred, following similar discussions in June that ended without an agreement.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges. He faces federal stalking charges and second-degree murder and weapons charges in New York state court. The state trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 8, while the federal trial is set for January 5 next year.
According to ABC News, the plea deal could reignite Mangione's defense team's argument of double jeopardy, which prevents being tried twice for the same crime. However, because state and federal governments are separate sovereigns, both can prosecute the same acts as different crimes.
Mangione's attorneys previously considered a psychiatric defense, citing "extreme emotional disturbance," but withdrew the plan. A guilty plea in federal court could impact the state prosecution under New York's double jeopardy law, though the immediate effect is unclear.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers have not commented on the plea discussions. However, The Guardian reported that New York prosecutors are prepared to lobby for a stiff sentence if a plea deal is reached.
Mangione was arrested five days after the murder in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Prosecutors allege that a handgun in his backpack matched the ballistics evidence found at the crime scene, and a notebook contained writings expressing anger toward the healthcare industry.
The federal judge previously dismissed a murder count that would have made Mangione eligible for the death penalty, while the state judge dismissed a terrorism-related charge. Both judges allowed evidence from Mangione's backpack to be used in the trials.
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