Luigi Mangione in Shackles as He Pleads Guilty to Federal Stalking Charges Resulting in Death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione, 28, appeared in Manhattan federal court in shackles and a tan prison uniform on Friday, August 14, where he pleaded guilty to two charges of stalking resulting in death, according to the New York Times and NBC News.

Judge Margaret Garnett reportedly asked Mangione directly if he was prepared to plead guilty, to which he replied, "Yes."

The former Ivy leaguer was then sworn in and asked a series of questions about his mental state, whether he had recently taken any medications or was under the care of any medical professionals.

After confirming he was of sound mind, Mangione pleaded guilty to both charges: one count of interstate stalking resulting in death and one count of stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Thompson's family was inside the courtroom to hear Mangione's plea after reportedly being escorted through a side door.

Though the judge declined to sentence Mangione during the hearing, she asked him to "describe in his own words" what he did that led him to believe he was guilty.

Mangione began by explaining that he spent years navigating the insurance system while suffering severe back pain. After learning that UnitedHealthcare held an annual investor conference in New York City on December 4, 2024, he began researching, as its location was not publicly disclosed.

Mangione explained that he traveled to New York and emailed UnitedHealthcare leadership, while posing as an investor to obtain information about the conference Thompson was scheduled to attend.

He told the judge that he printed a gun with a 3-D printer and modified it with a silencer.

"I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan," he said during the hearing, per The New York Times. "I understood that my actions would place him in fear of death or bodily injury. I knew what I was doing was illegal."

The outlet reported that Mangione showed "virtually no emotion" during the proceedings and was walked out of the courtroom, not handcuffed, but with his hands behind his back.

As OK! previously reported, Mangione was arrested five days after Thompson's slaying on December 9, 2024, after authorities tracked him to a Pennsylvania McDonald's, where he was allegedly found with a handgun in his backpack.

Mangione faces charges for the slaying in an ongoing state case, which Judge Garnett said could be added to his federal sentence.