UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Family Reacts to Luigi Mangione Guilty Plea: ‘Important Step Toward Justice’

Brian Thompson‘s family is speaking out after Luigi Mangione admitted to killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO, explaining they were grateful for the progress in the case but emphasizing that their pursuit of justice isn’t over just yet.

“I knew what I was doing,” Mangione, 28, said during his courtroom appearance on Friday, August 14, according to Fox News.

The guilty plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett, and Mangione now faces up to life in prison.

Following Mangione’s guilty plea Friday to two federal stalking charges stemming from Thompson’s death, his family released a statement.

“Today’s guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family,” the statement read, according to a report from 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.”

“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,” the statement concluded.

Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo also spoke with the press outside the courthouse and said her client “has accepted full responsibility for the death of Brian Thompson.” However, she argued that Mangione shouldn’t face multiple prosecutions over what she described as a “single tragic event.”

Friedman Agnifilo also added that Mangione’s defense had filed a motion requesting a New York court to dismiss the pending state charges under the protection of double jeopardy.