{"text":[[{"start":7.88,"text":"Luigi Mangione has pleaded guilty to causing UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson’s death in a US federal case that has ignited global debate about America’s health system."}],[{"start":18.04,"text":"Mangione, a 28-year-old Ivy League graduate, appeared in Manhattan district court on Friday where he entered a plea on federal stalking charges. He had previously pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges related to Thompson’s death."}],[{"start":32.32,"text":"He told the court he shot Thompson after years of enduring severe pain from a broken back and “navigating the obstacles of the healthcare system”."}],[{"start":41.08,"text":"Mangione said he read online that UnitedHealthcare would hold a conference in New York and noted that while it had a “stated mission to make the healthcare system work better for everyone”, the event would be attended by investors and executives rather than doctors, nurses and patients."}],[{"start":55.72,"text":"He said he emailed the company’s leaders posing as an investor to request information about the conference and “unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response”."}],[{"start":65.84,"text":"“I shot Mr Thompson in Manhattan, and he died,” Mangione said."}],[{"start":70.24,"text":"“I knew what I was doing was illegal.”"}],[{"start":73.32,"text":"Federal judge Margaret Garnett told Mangione he could be sentenced to a maximum of life in prison and a $500,000 fine. Prosecutors have recommended a sentence of about 24 to 30 years’ imprisonment. The sentencing has been scheduled for December 18."}],[{"start":89.04,"text":"Prosecutors said video footage showed Thompson being shot, then turning to face Mangione who shot him a second time. They said DNA and fingerprint evidence connected Mangione to the shooting."}],[{"start":99.48,"text":"Mangione’s plea means a planned federal trial that had been due to start in January will not take place. He could still argue for a reduced sentence."}],[{"start":107.96,"text":"Thompson’s family members were present in court for the hearing. “While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable. Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime,” the family said in a statement."}],[{"start":123.32,"text":"In light of the plea, defence lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said she filed a motion to dismiss separate murder charges against Mangione in New York state court. That trial is due to start next month."}],[{"start":136.2,"text":"State prosecutors said on Friday that they were prepared to proceed with litigation."}],[{"start":140.64,"text":"“While federal sentencing is pending, we are prepared to litigate the defence motions. The Manhattan DA’s office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr Thompson and his family,” a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a statement."}],[{"start":155.48,"text":"The plea in the federal case comes after Mangione faced a series of legal setbacks. In January, Garnett rejected a request from his lawyers to suppress evidence seized from his backpack, including a gun, silencer, a magazine cartridge loaded with bullets, written materials and an iPhone."}],[{"start":172.12,"text":"Gregory Carro, the judge in the state case, ruled in May that Mangione’s gun and notebook could be used as evidence, making the case more difficult for Mangione’s team."}],[{"start":181.4,"text":"However, Garnett ruled Mangione could not be tried on a charge that carries the death penalty. Use of capital punishment is rare in New York but former US attorney-general Pam Bondi had pushed for it to be sought in the case."}],[{"start":194.92,"text":"Thompson, who ran UnitedHealthcare, the insurance and benefits arm of UnitedHealth Group, was killed on a street in midtown Manhattan in December 2024 as he headed to an investor conference."}],[{"start":206.28,"text":"The case provoked outrage. In the wake of the shooting, Mangione has won support from people frustrated with the US healthcare system. Some have started dressing as the video game character Luigi and standing outside the court during his hearings."}],[{"start":219.96,"text":"Earlier this year, Mangione expressed frustration at the two separate cases in an unexpected courtroom outburst. “One plus one is two,” he said. “Double jeopardy by any common sense definition.”"}],[{"start":235.29,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1786924839_8389.mp3"}