A Manhattan judge delivered a significant ruling on Tuesday, dismissing two of the most serious charges against Luigi Mangione, the accused killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This decision came after Mangione appeared in court for the first time in several months. Judge Gregory Carro set aside charges of first-degree murder as a crime of terrorism and second-degree murder as an act of terrorism, stating that the evidence presented to the grand jury did not warrant such serious allegations.
In his ruling, Judge Carro noted that while Mangione exhibited animosity toward UnitedHealthcare and the healthcare sector at large, the evidence failed to support that his actions intended to “intimidate and coerce a civilian population.” He remarked, “there was no evidence presented of such a goal,” which led to the dismissal of the terrorism-related charges.
The prosecution had made the case that Mangione’s actions were designed to intimidate UnitedHealthcare employees. However, Carro rejected this outright. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office responded, “We respect the Court’s decision and will proceed on the remaining nine counts, including Murder in the Second Degree.”
Mangione now faces several remaining charges, including second-degree murder and multiple weapons offenses. During Tuesday’s hearing, he did not speak to the court, continuing to maintain his innocence as his next court date is set for December 1.
Prosecutors allege that Mangione shot Thompson outside a Midtown hotel with a 9 mm handgun equipped with a silencer on December 4, 2024. Mangione evaded capture for days before he was located at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Investigators reported discovering the alleged murder weapon and a fake ID in his possession at the time of his arrest. Additionally, a federal indictment includes charges related to murder through the use of a firearm, which carries potential penalties as severe as the death sentence.
Subsequent to the judge’s ruling, news outlets reported that Mangione’s supporters gathered to cheer the outcome. Fox News, confirming the dismissal of state terrorism charges, shared footage of the audience celebrating. As the case continues, Mangione, now with a growing following, has pleaded not guilty to all allegations against him.
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