* Mangione's federal trial was most recently set for January

* Guilty plea could let Mangione seek dismissal of state

murder charge under double jeopardy law

* State trial on murder, weapons and forgery charges is

scheduled for September 8

By Jack Queen

NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Luigi Mangione, the man accused

of gunning down a health insurance executive on a Manhattan

sidewalk, is due in federal court on Friday for a hearing where

he could plead guilty to stalking or similar charges.

A guilty plea would avert a trial in the closely watched

case over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a

brazen crime that was condemned by public officials but became

emblematic of Americans' frustration with health insurance

industry practices. It could also allow him to seek dismissal of

state murder charges and delay an upcoming trial in that case.

Mangione's lawyers and prosecutors with the Manhattan U.S.

Attorney's Office jointly requested the hearing without giving a

reason.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that Mangione was

expected to plead guilty but said the specifics of the deal were

unclear and could change because talks were ongoing. Mangione

could also change his mind before or even during the hearing

before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett.

He previously pleaded not guilty in April 2025 to murder,

weapons and stalking charges brought by Manhattan federal

prosecutors.

Garnett threw out the murder and weapons charges over legal

technicalities in a surprise ruling in January. The decision

eliminated the possibility that Mangione would face the death

penalty, though he still faces a possible sentence of life

without parole if convicted on the remaining stalking charges.

His federal trial was most recently set for January.

Mangione separately pleaded not guilty in December 2024 to state

terrorism, murder, weapons and forgery charges brought by

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The terrorism charges

were thrown out by a judge in September 2025.

A trial in that case is scheduled for September 8 before Justice

Gregory Carro in Manhattan. Mangione would face 25 years to life

in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.

If he pleads guilty in the federal case, Mangione is likely

to seek dismissal of the murder charge under New York's double

jeopardy law, which protects people from being prosecuted twice

for the same conduct. Bragg's office would oppose the move,

arguing that the murder charge is legally distinct from the

federal charges.

Whoever loses would likely seek an emergency appeal.

Thompson led UnitedHealth Group's ( UNH ) insurance unit

before he was shot dead in the early morning of December 4,

2024, outside a hotel where an investor conference was taking

place.

Graphic footage of the killing and a five-day manhunt for a

suspect made the case a media fixture and social media

sensation. Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania.