Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO

In a federal court in Manhattan, US, Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges and admits to killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Prosecutors plan to seek a life prison term for 28-year-old Mangione, who is also facing a separate state murder case that is scheduled to go to trial in September.

Mike Sisak from The Associated Press says: "In the courtroom behind me, Mangione spoke about how he came to New York City, targeted Thompson, and then ultimately shot and killed him outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel. Mangione said that after years of back pain, navigating the complicated healthcare system in the United States, he decided to take action."

"He also admitted to printing part of a gun using a 3D printer. He also answered questions from the judge saying yes that he understood the rights he was giving up, that he was of sound mind to enter his plea, that he was not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol and was not being treated for any psychological disorders."

Mangione initially pleaded not guilty in both the federal and state cases over the murder. His lawyers are now seeking to get the New York case thrown out on double jeopardy grounds following his guilty plea.

The sentencing for the federal charges is planned for December 18.