A New York judge has dismissed the two most serious state charges against Luigi Mangione in connection with the killing of United HealthCare executive Brian Thompson, ruling that prosecutors had failed to present sufficient evidence to support claims the crimes were acts of terrorism.
Mangione, who was arrested over Thompson’s death in December last year, had faced counts of first-degree murder in furtherance of an act of terrorism and second-degree murder as a crime of terrorism. Both charges were struck out on Tuesday by Justice Gregory Carro during a brief hearing at Manhattan criminal court.
In a written decision, Justice Carro stated: “Counts 1 and 2, charging defendant with Murder in the First Degree (in furtherance of an act of terrorism) and Murder in the Second Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, are dismissed as legally insufficient. The People presented legally sufficient evidence of all other counts, including Murder in the Second Degree (intentional).”
Mangione still faces a separate second-degree murder charge under state law, as well as a federal murder charge and weapons offences. Federal prosecutors allege he shot Thompson outside a hotel in what the US attorney general, Pam Bondi, has described as “a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America”. Bondi said the decision to pursue the case was consistent with “President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and make America safe again”.
The 39-year-old defendant entered court shortly before 9.30am, dressed in khaki prison scrubs, with his wrists handcuffed and ankles shackled. His appearance came less than a week after the killing of rightwing commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, an unrelated incident that has fuelled political tensions.
While no motive has been established in Kirk’s shooting, conservative figures have called for investigations into progressive political groups. President Trump has demanded the death penalty for the alleged Kirk gunman, Tyler Robinson, and his justice department is also seeking capital punishment for Mangione.
Thompson’s killing has ignited a divisive debate over healthcare in the United States, with some using the case to criticise the industry and others condemning the politicisation of a murder.
Outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Mangione’s supporters gathered as they have at previous hearings, queuing for seats and holding yellow index cards granting them entry. Among them, one woman wore a black T-shirt bearing the slogan “FREE LUIGI”, while another sported a white shirt reading “LUIGI’S PIZZA”.
The case continues in both state and federal courts.
