Surprise hearing scheduled in Luigi Mangione’s case — sparking speculation of plea deal

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-12 14:15:59 | Updated at 2026-08-12 17:54:03 4 hours ago

An unexpected hearing in Luigi Mangione’s federal case has been scheduled for Friday morning — fueling speculation that the alleged United Healthcare CEO killer could cop a plea deal.

Prosecutors and Mangione’s lawyers filed a joint letter requesting the hearing at 11 a.m. in Manhattan federal court, where the 28-year-old is charged with two counts of stalking resulting in death.

Two other counts, including murder through use of a firearm, were dismissed.

Luigi Mangione appears in New York City court for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. (Steven Hirsch 2026) Steven Hirsch for NY Post
Surveillance footage shows the moment before Brian Thompson is gunned down. Obtained by NY Post

The self-styled Maryland martyr is simultaneously charged in state court in the alleged murder of Brian Thompson, 50, who was gunned down in Manhattan in December 2024.

The surprise appearance comes months after Mangione’s attorneys had fruitless talks with the feds about a potential plea deal, NBC News reported, citing anonymous law enforcement sources.

Mangione’s top lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo ripped the government at the time for allegedly trying to “prejudice” the public against the infamous alleged assassin.

Marc Agnifilo and Karen Friedman Agnifilo, attorneys for Luigi Mangione, depart after a pretrial hearing at New York State Supreme Court on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. (2026 Getty Images) Getty Images

“This information attributed to ‘anonymous sources’ is part of a troubling, deliberate pattern by prosecutors and law enforcement to prejudice Luigi, manipulate public opinion, and violate his constitutional right to a fair trial and impartial jury,” Friedman Agnifilo said at the time. Every defendant in America is presumed innocent until proven guilty, including Luigi, who, unlike any other defendant, has to fight the same charges twice.”

Reps for Mangione and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

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