Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges for the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and faces a potential life sentence  The status of his state murder trial is still pending. 

On August 14, 2026, Luigi Mangione, 28, admitted in Manhattan federal court that he stalked and shot Brian Thompson outside a Hilton hotel. He pleaded guilty to two federal counts of interstate stalking resulting in death, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Mangione explained that his actions were motivated by years of severe back pain and frustration with the U.S. health insurance system.  

Despite the federal guilty plea, Mangione still faces eight state charges in New York, including second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. His state trial is scheduled to begin on September 8, 2026. His defense has filed a motion to dismiss the state charges under New York’s double jeopardy law, arguing that his federal guilty plea should prevent prosecution for the same conduct. However, prosecutors maintain that the state charges are distinct and are prepared to proceed with the trial.

JOINING NANCY GRACE TONIGHT:

• Randolph Rice  - Former Prosecutor and Current Criminal Defense & Civil Attorney at Rice Law, website: ricelawmd.com, IG, FB, X: @ricelawmd
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• Thomas Coyne -  Medical Examiner, University of Florida.  District Eight Medical Examiner, State of Florida. Toxicologist.  Forensic Pathologist and Neuropathologist.  
• Lauren Conlin - Reporter, Los Angeles Magazine - Podcaster/Reporter/Host- Co-Host of "PopCrimeTV" on YouTube, Website: www.popcrime.tv and primetimecrimeshow.com,  X- @Conlin_Lauren, Instagram: @LaurenEmilyConlin, YouTube: @PopCrimeTV 
• Dave Mack  - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'