Luigi Mangione could plead guilty in federal case

Luigi Mangione could plead guilty as soon as Friday to federal charges connected to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

(CNN)- Luigi Mangione could plead guilty as soon as Friday to federal charges connected to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to sources familiar with the case.

Sources say plea negotiations are underway ahead of a hastily scheduled federal court hearing Friday.

Mangione faces federal stalking charges connected to Thompson’s killing. He previously pleaded not guilty to the federal charges.

The new hearing comes just days after the final pre-trial hearing Tuesday in Mangione’s separate state case, where he faces second-degree murder and weapons charges. Mangione has also pleaded not guilty in that case.

Former federal prosecutor Berit Berger said it remains unclear what will happen at Friday’s hearing and cautioned that any potential agreement may not include the type of reduced sentence typically associated with a plea deal.

A lawyer representing Mangione declined to comment on the negotiations. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office also declined to comment.

Legal experts say a federal guilty plea could potentially become part of Mangione’s strategy in his state case.

Criminal defense attorney Joey Jackson said Mangione’s attorneys could attempt to use a federal plea to challenge the state prosecution on double jeopardy grounds.

Jury selection in Mangione’s state trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.

His federal trial had been scheduled to begin in January, but that timeline could change depending on what happens during Friday’s hearing.