What Is Double Jeopardy, and Why Are Luigi Mangione’s Lawyers Claiming It?

Luigi Mangione on Friday pleaded guilty to both federal stalking charges against him in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, admitting in court that he shot the healthcare executive in 2024.

Shortly after Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty on Friday to two federal charges in connection with the fatal 2024 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, his lawyers filed a motion arguing that the New York state case against him should be dismissed because of a legal principle known as double jeopardy.

Mangione, who was arrested in December 2024 five days after Thompson was killed in New York City, admitted in federal court on Friday to shooting the healthcare executive.

“I shot Mr.

Thompson in Manhattan,” he told the judge, according to the New York Times.

Read More: Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Fatal Shooting Mangione wasn’t facing murder charges in the federal case against him; rather, he faced two stalking charges in connection with the shooting, both of which he pleaded guilty to.

Each of the charges carries a possible life sentence.

He is set to be sentenced in federal court on Dec.

18.

In New York state court, meanwhile, he has been charged with multiple counts, including second-degree murder—all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.

His state trial was set to begin on Sept.

8, but has effectively been pushed back after the judge overseeing the case said the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has to respond to the motion filed by Mangione’s lawyers by Oct.

9.

The next hearing for the state case is now set for Dec.