Aug. 14, 2026
HAPPENING NOW: Will Luigi Mangione Plead Guilty To Federal Charges?
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RSS Feed A “special court conference” is getting underway today in a Manhattan federal courtroom, after both the defense and prosecution requested a last minute hearing where sources claim Luigi Mangione will plead guilty to federal charges. If that happens, it puts his state murder trial set to begin in three weeks into question, with the defense likely to argue for dismissal on double jeopardy grounds. Mangione is charged in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December of 2024.
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00:00:02
Speaker 1: Hey, that folks. It is Friday, August fourteenth, and as of this recording, we are standing by for what could be a stunning turn for Luigi Mangioni. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. Roabes. After all this, there's talk now possibly that again, in a matter of hours from this recording, he could be walking into court and pleading guilty.
00:00:23
Speaker 2: Yeah, this was a stunning development. And we say development because with a question mark, because we don't really know exactly what is going to happen. But this hearing is scheduled for eleven a m. Eastern time, and it's been called a special court conference.
00:00:41
Speaker 1: Not something we knew about on the books for weeks.
00:00:44
Speaker 2: Exactly this actually was hurriedly scheduled, is how it was described on August eleven, so just a couple of days ago, at a joint request from both the defense and the prosecutors. And this letter, of this joint letter that was requesting this hearing is described as vague, void of details, which then fanned the flames of speculation that clearly some deal must have been reached between the prosecution and the defense, but neither side is talking right now, which also things that make you go, hmmm.
00:01:17
Speaker 1: This is huge robes the case and cases could end today after all of this.
00:01:30
Speaker 2: That is correct. This is a huge one that is correct. Now the other caveat to this, the other asterisk. In every single story you will read about the speculation that he's going to be pleading guilty, they all say in the next line, sources say the deal could fall apart before or during the hearing today, and MANGIONI could change his mind. So they've left a lot of room for there to be different outcomes.
00:01:54
Speaker 1: The wiggle room is always there, Rose, I ask you as someone the two of us have looked that have covered bunch of stories and stuff like this. It kind of gets leaked out and nobody's talking. I found it. It stood out to me just how much each organization that was reporting this emphasized that Luigi might change his mind.
00:02:14
Speaker 3: Yeah, it was notable. It was notable, like they.
00:02:17
Speaker 1: Were almost told something to suggest he's on the fence or maybe he's not on board yet. They raid really big. It was more than just cover my butt in case this falls through. This was more I don't know how likely this is.
00:02:31
Speaker 3: I don't know either.
00:02:32
Speaker 2: And look, the other question is what would be the defense strategy because and we will go through the cases, because I actually was confused, and there have been so many hearings, and there were a ton of charges initially, and then a bunch of charges got dropped in both the federal and the state cases, and so it's this is a good opportunity just to clear up exactly what court is doing, what and where things stand. So the federal charges, he's only I didn't necessarily realize this. He is only facing two federal charges, and they neither one of them are murder. So he's facing an interstate stalking resulting in death charge and stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death charge. So neither one of them are murder charges, but both charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. And back in January, a federal judge dismissed the two other bigger charges in the federal case, including using a firearm to commit murder that actually would have had the death penalty attached to it, so he dropped that charge. So two counts, neither of them murder, but both of them would potentially put him in life behind bars. But so what would the defense strategy be that they could wipe out the state charges, which involves a murder charge, a second degree murder charge, because of double jeopardy. However, there are legal experts who say it's technically different harm because it isn't a murder charge. So there are different charges. Yes, it's the same incident, but they've cleverly created different charges to try and avoid double jeopardy. So beyond getting the state charges dropped, I can't imagine what the defense strategy would be in pleading guilty here unless they know they're cooked.
00:04:20
Speaker 1: How can you not be there's video of him shooting the guy, he was caught with the gun, fake id's I think he had a little journal in which he talked about I mean, this is one of those where evidence is overwhelming, but robes short of state he's not facing the death penalty in the state charges. What could be added? You just want to avoid this or robes? Are they working out a deal that comes up short of life without parole?
00:04:50
Speaker 2: That would be the only the only reason that you could got your head around. But then you hear we've heard from sources from the prosecutor's office that there is no deal, There is no offer to Luigi Mangioni, which doesn't make a lot of sense. And look, I think this dude, I forgot about this. But remember earlier this summer, in terms of his defense, you were like, what could he possibly say or do. We've got literally him on tape, we've got a journal, we've got the backpack, all that evidence they tried to get thrown out, the three D gun printed, it's all in, so they're not avoiding all of this overwhelmingly damning evidence.
00:05:26
Speaker 3: But remember.
00:05:29
Speaker 2: That earlier this summer the judge indicated that Mangioni and his defense team were going to present a psychiatric defense. It was a huge headline. Oh my god, he's going to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. Yeah, the next day his lawyer said, never mind, we're we're not going to use that defense. That was these are expert, high powered attorneys here, and it was a bizz I still don't understand what that was all about.
00:05:57
Speaker 1: Maybe throwing stuff against the wall. Maybe they're looking for something to see what would stick, and they rethought that as somebody got to them. But it was the next day and it was like one sheet of paper that essentially said we take it back and let's move on what there is no way to defend him against the crime. It feels there's a way to argue for him not spending the rest of his life in prison. That has to be it. And if the prosecution is coming out and saying there is no where we're getting that, that there is no deal, then row isn't this a crime that would carry life and the possibility of parole might be the thing that's being negotiated.
00:06:33
Speaker 2: Possibly, I'm but I'm just confused if you've got but the federal charges are stalking charges relating to death, but the state, the New York state charges, it's second degree murder.
00:06:44
Speaker 3: I thought that was interesting. It's not first degree murder. So he's looking at.
00:06:47
Speaker 2: Twenty five to life for that, and there are firearm charges in the state case.
00:06:51
Speaker 3: But why would he prefer to plead guilty.
00:06:55
Speaker 2: To the federal charges to hopefully avoid the state trial. Is it better to be in federal prison than state prison? I'm just trying to think why, because both of them, both of those cases involved charges that will result in life in prison. So it's not as if he's avoiding the death penalty or he's avoiding some harsher.
00:07:18
Speaker 3: Conviction.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: So it's going to be fascinating to understand why we're in court today.
00:07:24
Speaker 1: Will we don't know what we don't know, but there is these folks, These are very smart lawyers who have calculated in some way what his best options are and they're going after it. And for some reason, this is a better option if you can get rid of those state charges ropes. And the timing that trial is three weeks away.
00:07:41
Speaker 2: I was just going to say that is of great significance because yes, that trial was set to begin September eighth, or is set to begin so far right now, it's still on track to go forward on September eighth, And all of these headlines have been coming up because yes, this anonymous jury, the names of the jurors will only be available to the judge himself, and the legal teams for both sides and I mean prosecutors were able to show this is scary stuff. There's a lot of anticipation about this day trial that there have been documented threats against for harassment, exposure of personal information directed at anyone who's been even perceived as being a part of this trial.
00:08:24
Speaker 3: We're talking about witnesses, the lawyers.
00:08:28
Speaker 2: Pretty much everybody has received some sort of threat, and so the idea that jurors who would be deciding Luigi Mangioni's fate would also be under that same threat of harassment. So yes, so this is going to be, if it goes forward, a fascinating process that they're going to have to be protecting basically every party involved in the trial based on this crazed fandom that Luigi Mangioni has been able to amass. I mean, he's got one point five million dollars in a GoFundMe campaign for his legal defense.
00:09:02
Speaker 3: That's significant the fandom.
00:09:06
Speaker 1: He's not a hero. I mean, this guy shot somebody in the back. It's not even like you fought.
00:09:11
Speaker 3: Them and want you ambushed him.
00:09:13
Speaker 1: You went up behind this man, this father, and shot him in the head because you don't like the health care industry. That's not something we should celebrate under any circumstance. I don't know what you call these people who are supportive of him. He deserves a robust defense. It sounds like he's getting it. But short of that, robes there is nothing celebratory. Go say whatever you want to say about the healthcare industry. We all have our frustrations. Robes. It's just there is nothing. I don't know anybody of sound mind. Robes.
00:09:44
Speaker 3: That's a good way to put it.
00:09:45
Speaker 1: Celebrate openly and justify what he did to this guy.
00:09:50
Speaker 3: It's it's it's not justifiable.
00:09:53
Speaker 2: And look with word that a guilty plea deal might be in the works. When we come back, we will tell you about the Manhattan DA because guess what he is pissed.
00:10:07
Speaker 3: And welcome back everyone to Amy and TJ.
00:10:18
Speaker 2: We are awaiting and anticipating this mystery court hearing, this special court hearing that has been called for today at eleven am here in Manhattan at the Federal Court.
00:10:30
Speaker 3: A lot of folks believe that yes, Luigi.
00:10:33
Speaker 2: Mangioni, after all this back and forth hearing after hearing after hearing, may end up pleading guilty, and that may put this state's murder case in jeopardy because of New York's double jeopardy laws, and they've been described to some of the strictest in the country. And just a few excerpts from that a person may not be twice prosecuted for the same offense. We know that's the basic understanding, but they also said a person may not be separately procuted for two offenses based upon this same act or criminal transaction.
00:11:05
Speaker 3: That seems pretty clear.
00:11:06
Speaker 1: It's very and we don't have to be a lawyer to understand what that just said. That they covered this in state law like automatic. It sounds plain as day. Now. There will be some arguments made, but Rome's I there seemed to be at least it was perceived as a competition between the feds. Absolutely who gets them first, Who gets to put this high profile guy in prison? Right, There's going to be a lot of press conferences, ropes, It's gonna be a lot of cameras around this one. That's gonna make you a star.
00:11:38
Speaker 3: A lot of careers are dangling in the balance.
00:11:41
Speaker 1: This is the one.
00:11:42
Speaker 2: And so we hear from the Manhattan DA who sent a letter to the judge in this case regarding this federal plea deal, or this alleged federal plea deal. We should say, here is what he wrote. If a proposed federal guilty plea would operate to defeat a just outcome in the state prosecution, the people could advise the Federal District Court of that consequence, and the court should consider that fact in deciding whether to accept the plea, as well as any opposition by the victim's family to such a resolution. Obviously, any guilty pleas in this matter must account for the seriousness of defendant's offenses, the loss of an innocent life, the impact of those crimes on the victim's family, and the other state interests that are implicated, including the sanctity of life principle that underpins the state's homicide charges. So they're trying to argue because the Feds aren't actually charging him with murder, that's not acceptable given what happened there in Manhattan last year, and that might not be acceptable to the family either. So trying real hard to be able to pursue the second degree murder charges that the state has and are ready to basically prosecute in just weeks.
00:13:01
Speaker 1: Does that make sense? Do you think a family member cares well, technically he wasn't convicted of murder. He's going to prison the rest of his life, but we need to do another trial because we need to make sure it's on record that the conviction says murder, Like, does do they consider that? Does a family member consider that? Robes? And why a federal and state. They should be working together. If the goal is to get him off the streets the rest of his life, how can we do that and work together. This guy in the state is trying to undercut publicly, undercut any plea deal, inserting himself into advising.
00:13:37
Speaker 3: He's advising the judge. I wonder how that will go over with the judge.
00:13:40
Speaker 1: Oh, man, this is so because, yes, he feels like his moment to shine is being taken away.
00:13:47
Speaker 3: Yeah, he put in all this work.
00:13:48
Speaker 2: I mean, think about all the hearings, all the work done to try and prosecute and you think, man, I'm gonna I'm gonna be the guy. I'm going to be the guy who got Maggioni.
00:13:58
Speaker 1: You don't know this guy. We don't, but you get our point.
00:14:01
Speaker 2: Yes, Look, there are egos in play along with what's at stake for Luigi Mangioni and certainly the family of Brian Thompson, who I'm sure and I do think.
00:14:15
Speaker 3: I wonder.
00:14:15
Speaker 2: We've always talked about this, how much the families desires, the families wants are considered in these types of cases, and.
00:14:25
Speaker 1: It seems like they often are in a lot of cases we've seen. So don't know on this one. But yes, eyes and ears in the courtroom today. This is happening in just a little bit. We'll let you know what happens, folks, but as always, we appreciate you spending some time here with us. I'm TJ. That's Robes. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 1: Hey, that folks. It is Friday, August fourteenth, and as of this recording, we are standing by for what could be a stunning turn for Luigi Mangioni. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. Roabes. After all this, there's talk now possibly that again, in a matter of hours from this recording, he could be walking into court and pleading guilty.
00:00:23
Speaker 2: Yeah, this was a stunning development. And we say development because with a question mark, because we don't really know exactly what is going to happen. But this hearing is scheduled for eleven a m. Eastern time, and it's been called a special court conference.
00:00:41
Speaker 1: Not something we knew about on the books for weeks.
00:00:44
Speaker 2: Exactly this actually was hurriedly scheduled, is how it was described on August eleven, so just a couple of days ago, at a joint request from both the defense and the prosecutors. And this letter, of this joint letter that was requesting this hearing is described as vague, void of details, which then fanned the flames of speculation that clearly some deal must have been reached between the prosecution and the defense, but neither side is talking right now, which also things that make you go, hmmm.
00:01:17
Speaker 1: This is huge robes the case and cases could end today after all of this.
00:01:30
Speaker 2: That is correct. This is a huge one that is correct. Now the other caveat to this, the other asterisk. In every single story you will read about the speculation that he's going to be pleading guilty, they all say in the next line, sources say the deal could fall apart before or during the hearing today, and MANGIONI could change his mind. So they've left a lot of room for there to be different outcomes.
00:01:54
Speaker 1: The wiggle room is always there, Rose, I ask you as someone the two of us have looked that have covered bunch of stories and stuff like this. It kind of gets leaked out and nobody's talking. I found it. It stood out to me just how much each organization that was reporting this emphasized that Luigi might change his mind.
00:02:14
Speaker 3: Yeah, it was notable. It was notable, like they.
00:02:17
Speaker 1: Were almost told something to suggest he's on the fence or maybe he's not on board yet. They raid really big. It was more than just cover my butt in case this falls through. This was more I don't know how likely this is.
00:02:31
Speaker 3: I don't know either.
00:02:32
Speaker 2: And look, the other question is what would be the defense strategy because and we will go through the cases, because I actually was confused, and there have been so many hearings, and there were a ton of charges initially, and then a bunch of charges got dropped in both the federal and the state cases, and so it's this is a good opportunity just to clear up exactly what court is doing, what and where things stand. So the federal charges, he's only I didn't necessarily realize this. He is only facing two federal charges, and they neither one of them are murder. So he's facing an interstate stalking resulting in death charge and stalking through the use of interstate facilities resulting in death charge. So neither one of them are murder charges, but both charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. And back in January, a federal judge dismissed the two other bigger charges in the federal case, including using a firearm to commit murder that actually would have had the death penalty attached to it, so he dropped that charge. So two counts, neither of them murder, but both of them would potentially put him in life behind bars. But so what would the defense strategy be that they could wipe out the state charges, which involves a murder charge, a second degree murder charge, because of double jeopardy. However, there are legal experts who say it's technically different harm because it isn't a murder charge. So there are different charges. Yes, it's the same incident, but they've cleverly created different charges to try and avoid double jeopardy. So beyond getting the state charges dropped, I can't imagine what the defense strategy would be in pleading guilty here unless they know they're cooked.
00:04:20
Speaker 1: How can you not be there's video of him shooting the guy, he was caught with the gun, fake id's I think he had a little journal in which he talked about I mean, this is one of those where evidence is overwhelming, but robes short of state he's not facing the death penalty in the state charges. What could be added? You just want to avoid this or robes? Are they working out a deal that comes up short of life without parole?
00:04:50
Speaker 2: That would be the only the only reason that you could got your head around. But then you hear we've heard from sources from the prosecutor's office that there is no deal, There is no offer to Luigi Mangioni, which doesn't make a lot of sense. And look, I think this dude, I forgot about this. But remember earlier this summer, in terms of his defense, you were like, what could he possibly say or do. We've got literally him on tape, we've got a journal, we've got the backpack, all that evidence they tried to get thrown out, the three D gun printed, it's all in, so they're not avoiding all of this overwhelmingly damning evidence.
00:05:26
Speaker 3: But remember.
00:05:29
Speaker 2: That earlier this summer the judge indicated that Mangioni and his defense team were going to present a psychiatric defense. It was a huge headline. Oh my god, he's going to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. Yeah, the next day his lawyer said, never mind, we're we're not going to use that defense. That was these are expert, high powered attorneys here, and it was a bizz I still don't understand what that was all about.
00:05:57
Speaker 1: Maybe throwing stuff against the wall. Maybe they're looking for something to see what would stick, and they rethought that as somebody got to them. But it was the next day and it was like one sheet of paper that essentially said we take it back and let's move on what there is no way to defend him against the crime. It feels there's a way to argue for him not spending the rest of his life in prison. That has to be it. And if the prosecution is coming out and saying there is no where we're getting that, that there is no deal, then row isn't this a crime that would carry life and the possibility of parole might be the thing that's being negotiated.
00:06:33
Speaker 2: Possibly, I'm but I'm just confused if you've got but the federal charges are stalking charges relating to death, but the state, the New York state charges, it's second degree murder.
00:06:44
Speaker 3: I thought that was interesting. It's not first degree murder. So he's looking at.
00:06:47
Speaker 2: Twenty five to life for that, and there are firearm charges in the state case.
00:06:51
Speaker 3: But why would he prefer to plead guilty.
00:06:55
Speaker 2: To the federal charges to hopefully avoid the state trial. Is it better to be in federal prison than state prison? I'm just trying to think why, because both of them, both of those cases involved charges that will result in life in prison. So it's not as if he's avoiding the death penalty or he's avoiding some harsher.
00:07:18
Speaker 3: Conviction.
00:07:18
Speaker 2: So it's going to be fascinating to understand why we're in court today.
00:07:24
Speaker 1: Will we don't know what we don't know, but there is these folks, These are very smart lawyers who have calculated in some way what his best options are and they're going after it. And for some reason, this is a better option if you can get rid of those state charges ropes. And the timing that trial is three weeks away.
00:07:41
Speaker 2: I was just going to say that is of great significance because yes, that trial was set to begin September eighth, or is set to begin so far right now, it's still on track to go forward on September eighth, And all of these headlines have been coming up because yes, this anonymous jury, the names of the jurors will only be available to the judge himself, and the legal teams for both sides and I mean prosecutors were able to show this is scary stuff. There's a lot of anticipation about this day trial that there have been documented threats against for harassment, exposure of personal information directed at anyone who's been even perceived as being a part of this trial.
00:08:24
Speaker 3: We're talking about witnesses, the lawyers.
00:08:28
Speaker 2: Pretty much everybody has received some sort of threat, and so the idea that jurors who would be deciding Luigi Mangioni's fate would also be under that same threat of harassment. So yes, so this is going to be, if it goes forward, a fascinating process that they're going to have to be protecting basically every party involved in the trial based on this crazed fandom that Luigi Mangioni has been able to amass. I mean, he's got one point five million dollars in a GoFundMe campaign for his legal defense.
00:09:02
Speaker 3: That's significant the fandom.
00:09:06
Speaker 1: He's not a hero. I mean, this guy shot somebody in the back. It's not even like you fought.
00:09:11
Speaker 3: Them and want you ambushed him.
00:09:13
Speaker 1: You went up behind this man, this father, and shot him in the head because you don't like the health care industry. That's not something we should celebrate under any circumstance. I don't know what you call these people who are supportive of him. He deserves a robust defense. It sounds like he's getting it. But short of that, robes there is nothing celebratory. Go say whatever you want to say about the healthcare industry. We all have our frustrations. Robes. It's just there is nothing. I don't know anybody of sound mind. Robes.
00:09:44
Speaker 3: That's a good way to put it.
00:09:45
Speaker 1: Celebrate openly and justify what he did to this guy.
00:09:50
Speaker 3: It's it's it's not justifiable.
00:09:53
Speaker 2: And look with word that a guilty plea deal might be in the works. When we come back, we will tell you about the Manhattan DA because guess what he is pissed.
00:10:07
Speaker 3: And welcome back everyone to Amy and TJ.
00:10:18
Speaker 2: We are awaiting and anticipating this mystery court hearing, this special court hearing that has been called for today at eleven am here in Manhattan at the Federal Court.
00:10:30
Speaker 3: A lot of folks believe that yes, Luigi.
00:10:33
Speaker 2: Mangioni, after all this back and forth hearing after hearing after hearing, may end up pleading guilty, and that may put this state's murder case in jeopardy because of New York's double jeopardy laws, and they've been described to some of the strictest in the country. And just a few excerpts from that a person may not be twice prosecuted for the same offense. We know that's the basic understanding, but they also said a person may not be separately procuted for two offenses based upon this same act or criminal transaction.
00:11:05
Speaker 3: That seems pretty clear.
00:11:06
Speaker 1: It's very and we don't have to be a lawyer to understand what that just said. That they covered this in state law like automatic. It sounds plain as day. Now. There will be some arguments made, but Rome's I there seemed to be at least it was perceived as a competition between the feds. Absolutely who gets them first, Who gets to put this high profile guy in prison? Right, There's going to be a lot of press conferences, ropes, It's gonna be a lot of cameras around this one. That's gonna make you a star.
00:11:38
Speaker 3: A lot of careers are dangling in the balance.
00:11:41
Speaker 1: This is the one.
00:11:42
Speaker 2: And so we hear from the Manhattan DA who sent a letter to the judge in this case regarding this federal plea deal, or this alleged federal plea deal. We should say, here is what he wrote. If a proposed federal guilty plea would operate to defeat a just outcome in the state prosecution, the people could advise the Federal District Court of that consequence, and the court should consider that fact in deciding whether to accept the plea, as well as any opposition by the victim's family to such a resolution. Obviously, any guilty pleas in this matter must account for the seriousness of defendant's offenses, the loss of an innocent life, the impact of those crimes on the victim's family, and the other state interests that are implicated, including the sanctity of life principle that underpins the state's homicide charges. So they're trying to argue because the Feds aren't actually charging him with murder, that's not acceptable given what happened there in Manhattan last year, and that might not be acceptable to the family either. So trying real hard to be able to pursue the second degree murder charges that the state has and are ready to basically prosecute in just weeks.
00:13:01
Speaker 1: Does that make sense? Do you think a family member cares well, technically he wasn't convicted of murder. He's going to prison the rest of his life, but we need to do another trial because we need to make sure it's on record that the conviction says murder, Like, does do they consider that? Does a family member consider that? Robes? And why a federal and state. They should be working together. If the goal is to get him off the streets the rest of his life, how can we do that and work together. This guy in the state is trying to undercut publicly, undercut any plea deal, inserting himself into advising.
00:13:37
Speaker 3: He's advising the judge. I wonder how that will go over with the judge.
00:13:40
Speaker 1: Oh, man, this is so because, yes, he feels like his moment to shine is being taken away.
00:13:47
Speaker 3: Yeah, he put in all this work.
00:13:48
Speaker 2: I mean, think about all the hearings, all the work done to try and prosecute and you think, man, I'm gonna I'm gonna be the guy. I'm going to be the guy who got Maggioni.
00:13:58
Speaker 1: You don't know this guy. We don't, but you get our point.
00:14:01
Speaker 2: Yes, Look, there are egos in play along with what's at stake for Luigi Mangioni and certainly the family of Brian Thompson, who I'm sure and I do think.
00:14:15
Speaker 3: I wonder.
00:14:15
Speaker 2: We've always talked about this, how much the families desires, the families wants are considered in these types of cases, and.
00:14:25
Speaker 1: It seems like they often are in a lot of cases we've seen. So don't know on this one. But yes, eyes and ears in the courtroom today. This is happening in just a little bit. We'll let you know what happens, folks, but as always, we appreciate you spending some time here with us. I'm TJ. That's Robes. We'll talk soon.