State terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, were dismissed Tuesday during a pre-trial hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court.
The 27-year-old walked into the courtroom shackled and in tan prison clothing shortly before 9:30 a.m., while supporters outside carried signs and chanted. Mangione briefly glanced at the public before staring straight ahead, later raising his eyebrows in acknowledgment toward the defense’s first row and the press as he exited.
Mangione faces both state and federal charges for the December killing of Thompson, a husband and father of two, outside a Manhattan hotel. The state case initially included 11 charges, including murder and terrorism, while federal counts carry the possibility of the death penalty. His lawyers argued that pursuing both state and federal cases could amount to double jeopardy, but Judge Gregory Carro rejected that claim in his written decision.
The defense also sought to drop the terrorism charges, claiming they were inapplicable. Prosecutors had alleged Mangione intended to “violently broadcast a social and political message to the public at large.” Judge Carro ruled both terrorism counts—murder in the first degree in furtherance of an act of terrorism and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism—were “legally insufficient.”
“There was no evidence presented of a desire to terrorize the public, inspire widespread fear, engage in a broader campaign of violence, or to conspire with organized terrorist groups,” Carro wrote. “Here, the crime—the heinous, but targeted and discrete killing of one person—is very different from the examples of terrorism set forth in the statute.”
Mangione still faces nine other state counts, including second-degree murder and eight weapons-related charges. A conviction on the top count could result in 25 years to life. He has pleaded not guilty.
In a statement following the ruling, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said, “We respect the Court’s decision and will proceed on the remaining nine counts, including Murder in the Second Degree.”
The defense has also requested suppression of evidence from Mangione’s backpack, including a gun and a notebook, arguing the items were obtained without a search warrant. Prosecutors deny the claim and have asked the court to compel Mangione’s lawyers to indicate whether they will pursue an insanity defense or present psychiatric evidence.
Judge Carro did not rule on these outstanding motions Tuesday, setting hearings to begin December 1. These sessions will determine whether Mangione’s statements to police and the physical evidence can be admitted and whether non-witnesses may testify.
