Luigi Mangione state murder trial postponed after plea

Luigi Mangione's New York state murder trial over the killing of UnitedHealthCare chief executive Brian Thompson has been postponed after he pleaded guilty in a federal stalking case, according to a judge's order filed Monday.

The state trial had been due to begin next month. A hearing in the state case is now set for the beginning of December after Mangione's lawyers moved to dismiss the state charges, arguing that pursuing them after the federal plea would violate New York's double-jeopardy protections.

Mangione admitted Friday before a federal judge that he shot Thompson in Manhattan on December 4. He pleaded guilty to stalking charges and is due to be sentenced on December 18. Federal prosecutors said they would seek a life term.

Mangione still maintains a not guilty plea in New York state. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has said prosecutors are preparing to seek a trial conviction. The federal stalking charges and the state murder charges could both lead to life sentences. Two other federal charges that carried the death penalty were thrown out by a judge earlier this year.

The case has divided public opinion, with supporters gathering outside the Manhattan courthouse and President Donald Trump and other conservatives calling for Mangione to be made an example of.