Mangione speaks in court: 'I shot Mr. Thompson and he died'
NEW YORK (CNN) – Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty Friday to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. “I shot Mr. Thompson and he died,” he told the court. “I knew what I was doing was illegal.”
Judge Margaret Garnett began by asking Luigi Mangione a series of questions. Before questioning him, Garnett warned he could be prosecuted for perjury if he answered any questions about his decision to plead guilty falsely.
The 28-year-old Mangione told the court he had never been treated or hospitalized for any mental illness or addiction. He said he took trazodone two days ago for sleep, but said it was not affecting his ability to follow the proceedings.
When the judge asked if he believed his mind was clear today, he said, “I do.”
Mangione said that “after years of enduring pain from a broken back” and witnessing similar experiences of others, he said he learned UnitedHealthcare would be holding its annual investor convergence in December 2024.
Mangione said the public location wasn’t posted but he researched to learn the location and who would be there.
“In November of 2024 I travelled 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. Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour,” Mangione said.
The 28-year-old has gained cult-like support on social media and in court. Many of his supporters harbor deep frustration and anger at the American for-profit healthcare system.
Luigi Mangione’s sentencing in the federal case is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, December 18.
The-CNN-Wire
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