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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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Luigi Mangione objected in court on Friday to the prospect of back‑to‑back state and federal trials over the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, calling the schedule “double jeopardy by any commonsense definition.”
Mangione, 27, spoke as officers escorted him from the courtroom after a judge set his New York murder trial to begin June 8, months before jury selection is scheduled in his federal case.
Judge Gregory Carro said the state trial could be delayed until September 8 if an appeal slows the federal proceedings, drawing objections from defense lawyers who argued they would not be ready.
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Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both cases, which carry the possibility of life in prison, though federal prosecutors have been barred from seeking the death penalty.
Why It Matters
Mangione's case continues to make headlines and capture public attention, with the defendant gaining support from some who view his alleged actions as a stand against the health insurance industry.
The tandem federal and state prosecutions have seen scrutiny over the charges brought and the evidence used against Mangione, with the federal judge dismissing death penalty-eligible charges over concerns of political influence.
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Luigi Mangione Outburst: What He Said
“It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition," Mangione said as he was escorted from the courtroom in Manhattan on Friday.
His comment came after the judge in his state case set the trial date. Mangione's attorneys said he was being put in "an untenable situation."
"This is a tug-of-war between two different prosecution offices," attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo added. “The defense will not be ready on June 8."
Carro responded: "Be ready."
When Is Mangione's State Murder Trial Date?
Carro set the state trial date for June 8, while jury selection for the federal case is set to begin three months later on September 8, before opening statements October 13.
Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann had sent a letter to the judge, asking the New York trial to begin on July 1, arguing any further delay could prejudice the case, which he said should have priority over the federal prosecution. Under New York state law, prosecutors could be prevented from proceeding if a federal trial took place first.
Who Was UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson?
Thompson, 50, was shot and killed outside a midtown Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024, as he attended a conference for UnitedHealthcare. He had worked for the health care company for 20 years and became CEO in 2021.
The executive had lived in Minnesota with his wife and two children.
Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind. Police say “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.
His death sparked a manhunt across the city and beyond state lines, with Mangione identified as the suspect and arrested in Pennsylvania five days later.
What People Are Saying
Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, speaking outside court Friday: "All I will say is double jeopardy is meant to protect people, and they're using it as a weapon here, so it's unfair."
Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann, speaking in court Friday: "Counsel is seeking to jeopardize us out of the federal case. We have every reason to be the prosecuting authority."
What Happens Next
Mangione is next due in court for the state case in May when Carro is expected to rule on a request by his attorneys to exclude certain evidence that prosecutors allege connect him to the shooting.
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 2/6/26, 2:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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