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Mangione se declara culpable: “Le disparé al Sr. Thompson y murió”

By CNN

Luigi Mangione se declaró culpable de los cargos federales en su contra por las acciones que derivaron en el homicidio del CEO de UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson. “Le disparé al Sr. Thompson y murió”, declaró este viernes ante el tribunal. “Sabía que lo que hacía era ilegal”. Su sentencia se dictará el 18 de diciembre.

Dijo que, tras años de sufrir dolor por una fractura de espalda y presenciar experiencias similares en otras personas, se enteró de que UnitedHealthcare celebraría su reunión anual de inversores en diciembre de 2024. Mangione comentó que no se había publicado la ubicación, pero que investigó para averiguarla y quiénes asistirían.

“En noviembre de 2024 viajé desde fuera del estado de Nueva York a Manhattan. Luego envié un correo electrónico a la directiva de UnitedHealthcare, haciéndome pasar por un inversor de una empresa que gestiona más de 15 mil millones de dólares en activos y solicitando información sobre la conferencia. A diferencia de mis interacciones anteriores con aseguradoras, recibí una respuesta inmediata en menos de una hora”, dijo Mangione.

Luigi Mangione ha aceptado “total responsabilidad por la muerte de Brian Thompson” al declararse culpable, según informó su abogada, Karen Friedman Agnifilo.

“Creía que el sistema le había fallado y arruinado la vida”, añadió Agnifilo.

“Hoy es un día solemne y significativo. Con su declaración de culpabilidad, el Sr. Mangione ha aceptado la plena responsabilidad por la muerte de Brian Thompson, ocurrida el 4 de diciembre de 2024, a las afueras de la conferencia de inversores de UnitedHealthcare en Midtown Manhattan. Fue un único y trágico suceso. Sin embargo, está siendo procesado dos veces por la misma conducta”, declaró.

“Como explicó Luigi hoy ante el tribunal, sufrió años de dolor intenso y debilitante tras una fractura de columna, mientras intentaba comprender el sistema de salud y el seguro médico. Al igual que miles de personas que se han puesto en contacto con nosotros tras esta tragedia para compartir sus experiencias, creía que el sistema le había fallado y arruinado la vida”, afirmó en la rueda de prensa celebrada hoy tras la conclusión de la audiencia de Mangione.

Friedman Agnifilo había dicho a la jueza del caso minutos antes que Luigi Mangione estaba dispuesto a declararse culpable de los cargos penales federales relacionados con el ataque mortal a tiros contra Brian Thompson, director ejecutivo de UnitedHealthcare, dijo este viernes su abogada, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, a la jueza del caso.

“El Sr. Mangione está dispuesto a declararse culpable de los cargos en este momento”, declaró Karen Friedman Agnifilo.

La jueza Margaret Garnett le preguntó a Mangione si eso era cierto. Él se inclinó hacia el micrófono y respondió afirmativamente.

Garnett le explicó que se enfrenta a una pena máxima de cadena perpetua. “Al declararse culpable, se expone a la posibilidad de cualquier combinación de castigos, al menos hasta el máximo”, dijo Garnett.

La jueza le dijo a Mangione que en el sistema federal no existe la libertad condicional y que, si bien se le puede descontar la pena por buena conducta, deberá cumplir al menos el 85 % de la condena.

La sentencia podría ir seguida de hasta cinco años de libertad supervisada por cada cargo y una multa máxima de US$ 250 por cada cargo, indicó Garnett, quien también podría ordenar la restitución.

Le preguntó entonces si comprende que podría enfrentarse a una condena total de cadena perpetua, y Mangione confirmó que sí.

Garnett también hizo referencia al caso estatal pendiente, indicando que si Mangione es declarado culpable y sentenciado en ese caso, sus condenas podrían cumplirse consecutivamente. Mangione confirmó que también lo entendía.

Posteriormente, Mangione prestó juramento.

La jueza Margaret Garnett declaró que, basándose en la actitud actual de Luigi Mangione y sus respuestas en el tribunal hasta el momento, considera que está en condiciones de declararse culpable.

Minutos atrás, Mangione afirmó que nunca había recibido tratamiento ni había sido hospitalizado por ninguna enfermedad mental o adicción. Añadió que había tomado trazodona dos días antes para dormir, pero que no le afectaba la capacidad de seguir el procedimiento.

Cuando la jueza le preguntó si creía estar lúcido, respondió: “Sí”.

La audiencia se celebró a petición conjunta de la fiscalía y la defensa.

Esta noticia está en desarrollo y será actualizada.

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Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal case, admits shooting Brian Thompson

▶ Watch Video: Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal charges in killing of Brian Thompson Luigi Mangione entered a guilty plea in his federal case at a court appearance in Manhattan Friday morning, admitting to the judge that he shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown hotel in 2024.Mangione, 28, faced both federal and state trials in New York for the deadly shooting. He had previously pleaded not guilty in both cases.Sentencing in the federal case will take place on Dec. 18, with Mangione facing a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.His state trial is currently set to begin in September. Mangione's defense team said they've filed for state charges to be dismissed under New York's double jeopardy law, and the Manhattan DA's office said they're prepared to fight their move for dismissal. What happened in courtThompson's family arrived in the courtroom at around 10:50 a.m. The hearing, which had been set to start at 11 a.m., got started a bit late. The courtroom had filled press personnel as well as about two rows of members of the public. Mangione entered the court at around 11:10 a.m. with his feet shackled and his hands behind his back. He was wearing tan prison clothing with a white T-shirt underneath. Just before 11:15 a.m., Mangione's defense team told the judge Mangione "is prepared to plead guilty to the indictment at this time." The judge asked Mangione if that was correct. "Yes," Mangione told the judge. The judge then asked Mangione a series of questions about his background and use of medications and drugs. The judge then found Mangione to be fully competent to enter the plea. The judge told Mangione that the maximum possible sentence is life in prison followed by supervised release. The judge added that there's no parole in the federal system, although good behavior and other programs can impact how long he will spend in prison. He will be required to serve 85% of the sentence, the judge said. The judge pointed out that there's no plea agreement between the defense and prosecution, and Mangione's defense attorney said that's correct. Mangione's admission in courtMangione then told the court in his own words what he did. He told the court that he had for years endured severe pain for a broken back and had navigated the health insurance system. He told the court he learned about the UnitedHealthcare annual investor conference in New York even though it wasn't publicized, and traveled to it. He told the court he posed as an investor to find out more information about the conference. He told the court he used a 3D printer to make parts of the gun, and traveled to New York with the gun, silencer, and magazine with "the intent to shoot Brian Thompson." He said he shot Thompson in Manhattan knowing it would place him in fear of death or serious bodily injury. Prosecutors then spoke in court, reviewing the evidence against Mangione. They pointed to video capturing the shooting, as well as Mangione fleeing the scene on the bicycle, his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the recovered pistol and shell casings, as well as DNA found at the crime scene. Prosecutors said entries in Mangione's notebook expressed his desire to kill a health care executive. "Mr. Mangione, how do you now plead to counts one and two of the indictment," the judge asked. "Guilty," Mangione said. "I will accept your guilty plea," the judge said. About the chargesMangione initially faced four federal charges in Thompson's killing. Two of those charges against him, one of which brought the possibility of the death penalty — murder through use of a firearm and an additional firearms charge — were dismissed earlier this year, and federal prosecutors said they would not appeal that decision.That left federal stalking charges against him, which brought the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole.Jury selection in the federal case had been set to begin in January. Speculation about a possible plea deal had been rampant since Tuesday, when prosecutors and Mangione's defense team sent a letter to the court requesting a Friday conference regarding the federal case.Luigi Mangione's state trial and double jeopardy concernsMangione's attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo spoke after Mangione entered his guilty plea to federal charges. "Despite this being a single isolated event, 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," Agnifilo said. "New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime under a statute that covers successive prosecutions, it's also known as the double jeopardy law."Today's guilty plea triggers this statute, and we just filed our motion in state court explaining why the state charges must be dismissed under New York's double jeopardy protections," Agnifilo said. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office released a statement after the guilty plea saying they're going to fight to keep their prosecution going. "Since December 2024, the Manhattan D.A.'s Office has been tirelessly preparing to pursue a trial conviction in New York State Supreme Court for the alleged cold-blooded murder of Brian Thompson. We are encouraged that Mr. Thompson's family received a measure of accountability today.  While federal sentencing is pending, we are prepared to litigate the defense motions. The Manhattan D.A.'s Office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr. Thompson and his family," a spokesperson for the Manhattan DA's office said. Mangione's state trial is set to begin in September.The state case, in which he faces second-degree murder charges, among others, also carries with it the possibility of life in prison.Double jeopardy refers to a law stating "a person may not be twice prosecuted for the same offense," although there are a number of exceptions. "Luigi Mangione's defense team had made that argument in the state case prior, and this could revive it, because if you actually have a conviction on the federal case, it's a more robust double jeopardy protection in the New York state case. So we could see a motion there that could kick this state case back," CBS News legal contributor Caroline Polisi said on "CBS Mornings" Thursday. Legal expert Rich Schoenstein, however, said he thinks the double jeopardy argument is "open and complicated and subject to debate." Schoenstein said that's because the federal charges Mangione is pleading guilty to are related to interstate matters and stalking, which are quite different than the second-degree murder, weapons and forged instrument charges he's facing on a state level. "So the weapons and forged instrument charges would not be resolved by the federal plea, and arguably the intentional killing charge would not be resolved. I do think there's a serious question as to whether this would be double jeopardy," Schoenstein said.The plea deal, however, may "put some pressure" on New York prosecutors to reach a deal too, "and therefore it could resolve the case on a negotiated level." Thompson family reactsThe family of Brian Thompson released a statement following the guilty plea. "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. 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." Evidence in the Luigi Mangione caseKey evidence seized during Mangione's Pennsylvania arrest had been expected to be admitted in the federal trial, including a 3D-printed handgun, loaded magazine, a notebook and more.Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, as he arrived at a hotel for UnitedHealth Group's annual investor conference. The killing  of the husband and father of two was caught on surveillance video, which showed Thompson being shot in the back as he walked down the street. Police say the words "delay," "deny" and "depose" were written on the ammunition, echoing a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.Thompson's killing set off a frantic multistate manhunt that ended with Mangione's arrest at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days later.This is a developing story. Check back soon for more information. 
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