A judge on Tuesday dismissed terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione in New York state’s case over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, but allowed second-degree murder charges to move forward.In his written decision, Judge Gregory Carro acknowledged that the December 2024 killing was “not an ordinary street crime,” but said state law does not equate ideology-driven violence with terrorism unless the intent is to intimidate or coerce a broader civilian population.“While the defendant was clearly expressing an animus toward UHC, and the health care industry generally, it does not follow that his goal was to ‘intimidate and coerce a civilian population,’ and indeed, there was no evidence presented of such a goal,” Carro wrote.Mangione, a 27-year-old Ivy League graduate, appeared in court for the first time in the state case since February. Wearing beige prison clothes, handcuffs and shackles, he listened as the judge scheduled pretrial hearings for December 1—days before he is also due back in federal court.Prosecutors say Mangione shot Thompson from behind as the CEO arrived at the New York Hilton Midtown for an investor conference. Surveillance video captured the masked gunman, and police later found ammunition marked with the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose”, a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.Mangione was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He has been held at the Brooklyn federal jail where rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs is also detained.Supporters rally behind ‘Luigi’The case has attracted a fervent following. Dozens of supporters, some dressed in green in reference to Nintendo’s Luigi character, have attended his court appearances. On Tuesday, one wore a shirt reading “FREE LUIGI,” while others across the street from the courthouse cheered as news of the dropped terrorism charges spread.Prosecutors cite diary, manifestoMangione earlier pleaded not guilty to murder as an act of terrorism. Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, are pursuing a separate case that carries the death penalty. US Attorney General Pam Bondi has called the killing “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.”The Manhattan district attorney’s office has argued that Mangione’s writings show intent. In court filings, they cited his diary, where he praised Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, railed against “the greed fueled health insurance cartel,” and wrote that killing an executive “conveys a greedy bastard that had it coming.” In a confession note addressed “To the feds,” he allegedly declared that “it had to be done.”Mangione’s lawyers argue the dueling state and federal cases amount to double jeopardy and create a “legal quagmire.” Judge Carro rejected that claim, saying it was premature. Prosecutors maintain the cases involve different legal theories and can proceed simultaneously.
