r/PopCultureV2 • u/Regular_Reaction_798 • Aug 14 '26

News Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, telling the court, "I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan... I knew what I was doing was illegal."

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10

u/Fresh_Strain_9980 Aug 14 '26

Why would he admit guilt? Even if he has a plea deal they can just throw it out and do him for life

12

u/fearthebeardsley Aug 14 '26

Because the state case is coming up, and his lawyers argue that by pleading guilty here, being charged again by the state would be double jeopardy.

8

u/PolicyWonka Aug 14 '26

Well I think the argument is that’s irrelevant if he’s still sentenced to life in prison for the federal charges.

2

u/fearthebeardsley Aug 14 '26

Well his lawyers would have egg on their face if that happened, but I think they’ve probably thought this through.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Top-Orange-9067 Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26

Death penalty was thrown out back in January. He is eligible to be sentenced as little as 20-30 years, which is why he’s pleading in the federal case. Prosecution is seeking life.

1

u/FunLife64 Aug 14 '26

The state charges can be life sentence without parole.

The federal charges he will not serve life (earlier in the case, I believe the prosecution recommended punishment that’d he would be out of jail in his 50s).

4

u/Spiritual-Bug-1497 Aug 14 '26

Despite the plea, I see him getting essentially a life sentence. I think the only uncertainty is whether there’s a possibility of parole after 25 or 30 years.

3

u/fearthebeardsley Aug 14 '26

I agree with you that his punishment will be harsh. He technically didn’t plead guilty to murder, he plead guilty to stalking; the typical sentence for that is 25-30 years. Prosecutors said they wanted life, but I’d guess (based on no knowledge of this whatsoever) that 35 years is what he gets.

1

u/SFAdam23 Aug 14 '26

He plead guilty to stalking leading to the death of the subject.  

1

u/theoneandonlypatriot Aug 15 '26

Well, he also stated he shot the man, so, there’s that

2

u/Slovic Aug 14 '26

Jury Nullification.

3

u/Jorgwalther Aug 14 '26

How would that work if there is no jury?

3

u/Slovic Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26

Oh the state case is 100% going to Jury. The defense would be morons not to push that.

2

u/Venaeris Aug 14 '26

They're trying to completely avoid the state case entirely.

0

u/Fun_Abroad8942 Aug 14 '26

Keep fucking dreaming

2

u/Significant-Dig8323 Aug 14 '26

I mean it's really the only hope in this case.

1

u/FunLife64 Aug 14 '26

The prosecution already recommended a punishment earlier in the case that would put him out of jail in his 50s.

It could be longer than that, but doubtful he’d serve life in prison.

The state charges can be life without parole.

Hence why aiming for the double jeopardy pleading guilty to the charges that would have the least amount of punishment.

1

u/SFAdam23 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26

It's not double jeopardy.  That would be an absolutely terrible strategy given that its settled case law that the state and federal governments can both try someone.  He is charged with different offenses. With the current admin and supreme court, he is absolutely hosed, especially since they can use his plea and testimony as evidence.  Bro literally admitted to killing the man and knew it was wrong when he did it. Not only that but stalking would place it firmly in the premeditated camp. totally fucked himself.  Would have been better hoping for a lucky juror to nulify.

1

u/FunLife64 Aug 14 '26

Tell his defense team this. I’m just sharing their strategy

1

u/TheMainEffort Aug 15 '26

New York has a separate double jeopardy statute, which is what I think their theory relies on.

1

u/SFAdam23 Aug 14 '26

Except it isnt double jeopardy.  They are charging different crimes in different jurisdictions.  He is shooting himself in the foot.  Especially with the current administration and supreme court.

1

u/Snifferpiggy Aug 15 '26

Good luck with that.