Luigi Mangione could plead guilty as soon as Friday to federal criminal charges tied to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, people familiar with the matter said.

Luigi Mangione is scheduled to appear in court Friday, after federal prosecutors filed a joint request for a conference with the US judge overseeing the case.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers in Luigi Mangione's federal case are expected to discuss a possible plea deal during a conference scheduled for federal court on Friday.

The letter from DOJ prosecutors and defense attorneys for Mangione does not state a purpose for the meeting, only requesting that it occur.