Luigi Mangione Legal Team Seeks to Dismiss State Case Under Double Jeopardy Law

Luigi Mangione‘s attorney is arguing that her client should not have to face prosecution twice for the same crime after he pleaded guilty to federal charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

According to a report from People published on Friday, August 14, Mangione’s legal team filed a motion asking a New York judge to dismiss nearly all of the remaining state charges. She claimed they violate constitutional protections against double jeopardy, which generally prevents a person from being prosecuted for the same crime twice.

“It was a single tragic event, yet he’s being prosecuted twice for the same conduct,” the 28-year-old’s attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo said after Friday’s hearing.

The motion, obtained by the publication, stated, “The Court must dismiss these counts as the particular dual prosecutions here violated the defendant’s rights under the Fifth Amendment.”

Mangione’s legal team also specifically asked the court to dismiss the second-degree murder charge as well as several weapons offenses. The only state charge they aren’t seeking to have thrown out is one count of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.

The filing came after Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of interstate stalking resulting in death and one count of stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death.

As the National Enquirer previously reported, Mangione spoke during his hearing earlier today.

“I knew what I was doing,” he told Judge Margaret Garnett, per Fox News.

Mangione’s guilty plea was accepted, and he now faces up to life in prison.

In December 2024, Mangione fatally shot Thompson, 50, outside of a Manhattan hotel. A nationwide manhunt ensued and he was arrested in Pennsylvania five days later.

After today’s hearing, Thompson’s family released a statement of their own.

“Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family,” they said in a statement obtained by The Guardian. “While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable.”

The statement continued, “Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime. We remain mindful that additional proceedings in New York and Pennsylvania are still to come, and we will continue to seek the justice Brian deserves.”