The uncle of slain UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson says he hopes Luigi Mangione “gets what he deserves” after Mangione admitted guilt to federal stalking charges tied to the killing.
Mangione, 28, acknowledged in a New York City courtroom on Friday that he fatally shot Thompson, 50, in Midtown Manhattan as the executive was heading to a conference in December 2024.
Bruce Thompson, Brian Thompson’s uncle, later told The Times of London that the family wants the judge to impose a severe punishment. Mangione pleaded guilty to two federal stalking counts, each of which carries a possible life sentence.
“I hope he gets what he deserves,” the 79-year-old said. “There’s still a lot of legal hassle we have to go through. We’ll see what December 18 brings, we hope he gets the max.”
Mangione is still scheduled to face a state murder trial next month. His attorneys, however, argue that his admission to killing Thompson should prevent another prosecution under double jeopardy protections.
Speaking in Manhattan Federal Court, Mangione described his actions and made clear that Thompson had been deliberately targeted.
“I shot Mr Thompson and he died,” Mangione told Judge Margaret Garnett. “I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal.”
Bruce Thompson said hearing Mangione admit responsibility brought a measure of closure, though the pain remained. “I was glad to hear him say it,” he said. “It’s been a happy morning and a sad morning. At least this part is over. It’s a relief. It’s a relief.”
The 28-year-old admitted to gunning down Thompson, 50, in Manhattan as he walked to a conference in December of 2024 in a Manhattan courtroom on Friday, a courtroom sketch of him being sworn in is seen here
Mangione is seen here earlier this week at a pre-trial appearance
Thompson’s family came face-to-face with Mangione for the first time in court on Friday as he confessed, ‘I shot Mr Thompson and he died’
He stayed away from the proceedings, with Thompson’s widow Paulette making a rare public appearance at the courtroom.
She was seen walking into court in a navy dress and sunglasses, after she and her two sons suffered horrific stalking and abuse in the wake of her husband’s killing.
Paulette has yet to comment on Mangione’s admission.
The Thompson family issued a statement after the plea, calling for him to face a strong punishment.
‘Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family. 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,’ the family said.
‘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.’
Outside the courthouse, federal prosecutors emphasized that Mangione does not have a plea deal, and they will seek the maximum sentence.
Addressing the packed court, Mangione laid bare his plan, saying: ‘After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back, navigating the obstacles of the health insurance system and witnessing similar experiences of countless others, I learned that UnitedHealthcare would be holding its annual investor conference in New York City on December 4, 2024, although the specific location was not publicly disclosed.’
Brian Thompson’s wife attends Mangione’s court hearing in NYC on Friday. It was the first time she came face to face with her husband’s killer
Mangione faces a state murder trial next month in relation with the killing, a surveillance video grab is seen here of the assassination
‘I then searched the event online. I observed that the annual conference of America’s largest health care organization and the stated mission to make health – excuse me – with the stated mission to make the health system work better for everyone, would be attended by company executives, the board of directors, and hundreds of investors, not doctors, nurses, and patients.’
Mangione also revealed how he got Thompson’s location and acquired his weapon.
‘In November of 2024, I traveled from outside of New York State to Manhattan. I then emailed UnitedHealthcare leadership posing as an investor at a firm managing over $50 billion in assets and requesting information about the conference,’ he said.
‘Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour. Before traveling to New York, I used a 3-D printer to make part of a gun, and I equipped the gun with the silencer and magazine. My travel to New York and email to UnitedHealthcare was with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson.’
Mangione concluded: ‘On the morning of December 4, 2024, I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan and he died. When I did so, I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or serious bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal.’
Immediately after the hearing, Mangione’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss the state charges because of New York’s double jeopardy laws.
‘Mr Mangione has been unfairly treated since the outset in every way and has successfully fought off terrorism charges and the death penalty, while also fighting – at the same time – two simultaneous prosecutions in two jurisdictions, who are trying to punish him twice for the exact conduct,’ Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said.
‘He’s been treated differently from every other defendant charged with this offense in New York.’
Federal and state governments can prosecute for the same conduct because they are considered independent of each other, but under New York state law, double jeopardy can come into play when a prior prosecution for the same conduct ends in a conviction by guilty plea or a resolution at trial.
His sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 18.
