Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court on Aug. 14 to two stalking charges resulting in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A federal judge scheduled his sentencing for Dec. 18.

In court, Mangione admitted that he stalked and fatally shot Thompson. He entered the pleas without a sentencing agreement with prosecutors. Each charge carries a possible life sentence, and federal prosecutors said they intend to seek life imprisonment.

Mangione had originally faced federal murder, firearms and stalking charges. In January, a judge dismissed the murder and firearms counts that could have made him eligible for the death penalty, leaving the two stalking charges resulting in death.

Mangione also faces separate New York state charges, including second-degree murder, weapons offenses and possession of a forged identification document. He previously pleaded not guilty to all remaining state charges.

His attorneys have asked the state court to dismiss the murder and other charges under a New York law restricting successive prosecutions arising from the same conduct. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is expected to oppose the motion and has said it intends to proceed with the case.

The state trial was scheduled to begin on Sept. 8, although it could be delayed while the dismissal motion is considered. A conviction for second-degree murder carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Thompson was shot and killed outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024. The gunman waited outside before firing several shots as Thompson arrived and then fled the scene. Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania five days later.