A judge in New York dismissed the terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione on Tuesday, saying that state law does not consider a crime committed on grounds of ideology to be an act of terrorism. Here is the latest on the case against the man accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December of 2024.

Suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Will Not Face Charges of Terrorism

While Judge Gregory Carro ruled that the crime cannot be tried as an act of terrorism, he kept the state's second-degree murder charges as is. Mangione's team of lawyers had been arguing that the case brought by New York state and the concurrent federal death penalty cases constituted double jeopardy. However, Judge Carro rejected that argument, detailing that it was too early in the proceedings to make that determination.

Tuesday was the first time that the 27-year-old Mangione had appeared in court since February. Magione arrived on Tuesday morning at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan wearing a tan prison jumpsuit on top of a black shirt. It was notable that Mangione was not wearing a bulletproof vest.

The hearing was brief, lasting just a few minutes. Carro moved through the proceedings quickly, setting the hearing schedule after Mangione's lawyers attempted to stay the case brought by the state. The defense team had argued that it was too difficult to defend both the parallel federal and state cases against Mangione. The defendant's attorneys also argued that New York state defines crimes of terrorism as an attack on multiple civilians rather than a shooting of one individual.

The judge detailed his written decisions, effectively dismissing the terrorism charges against Mangione. Carro said that while Thompson's murder was not a typical street crime, New York state law does not take political ideology into account when determining if the act is terrorism.

Carro went on to state that although Mangione clearly expressed displeasure with UnitedHealthcare and the industry in general, one cannot deduce that his goal was to "intimidate and coerce a civilian population." The judge said that there was no evidence that the defendant had this goal.

Mangione's Supporters Appear Outside the Courtroom

Mangione's supporters gathered outside the courtroom to show their support for the suspect. The defendant has attracted a cult-like following from supporters who empathize with his frustrations with the healthcare insurance industry. Many of the supporters showed up wearing green as a sign of solidarity, a color tied to the popular Luigi character from the Super Mario video game.

Mangione is accused of shooting and killing Thompson on December 4 of last year. The UnitedHealthcare CEO was gunned down in the early morning hours in midtown Manhattan as he was about to enter a hotel for a business conference. The 50-year-old had worked for United for about 20 years, rising to the role of CEO in 2021. Thompson made a yearly salary of about $1 million; however, his total earnings when taking stock options and other forms of compensation into account came in at over $10 million.

Thompson left behind his wife, Paulette, and two children. His murder set off a massive manhunt after the FBI released photos of the suspect. Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after the shooting.

State prosecutors are arguing that Magione was trying to "intimidate or coerce a civilian population" through his actions. His specific targets, according to the prosecution, were health insurance company employees and investors. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors allege that the suspect stalked Thompson.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office presented writings allegedly from Mangione. The topic of the writings detailed a man wanting to rebel against the "greed-fueled health insurance cartel." The writings went on to say that the "greedy bastard had it coming."

Although charges of second-degree murder are less severe than what the state had previously brought against Mangione, he will still be subject to a potential prison sentence of 25 years to life. Additionally, Tuesday's ruling does not mean that the U.S. Justice Department cannot seek the death penalty in its federal case against Mangione.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all of the murder charges. He is scheduled to appear in court next on December 1.

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