Luigi Mangione's lawyers are trying to push back on reports that the UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination suspect has been in negotiations for a federal plea deal.WNBC reported Thursday through anonymous sources that Mangione has been in contact with federal prosecutors regarding a possible plea deal.The outlet went on to report, through anonymous sources, that an agreement was close but fell apart.In a statement to Fox News, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione's attorney, said prosecutors are trying to shape public opinion about the case, but did not directly address reports of plea deal discussions."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," Agnifilo said.SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERLuigi Mangione appears at a pre-trial hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, N.Y., on June 17, 2026.
(Barry Williams/New York Daily News)"Every defendant in America is presumed innocent until proven guilty, including Luigi, who, unlike any other defendant, has to fight the same charges twice," she added.Mangione faces two federal stalking charges resulting in death.Two other charges, murder through the use of a firearm and a weapons charge, were dismissed earlier in 2026.
The federal murder charge was death penalty eligible.SEND US A TIP HEREThe U.S.attorney's office declined to comment when reached by Fox News.LUIGI MANGIONE'S EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE DEFENSE MAY HAVE HUGE IMPACT IN HIS OTHER CASE: LAWYERLuigi Mangione appears at a pretrial hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on June 17, 2026.
Mangione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.(Barry Williams/New York Daily News)Shortly after informing the court that they plan to pursue a psychiatric defense for Mangione, his lawyers suddenly withdrew the "extre...