Luigi Mangione Has 2 Charges Dropped During First Court Appearance in Months

A judge on Tuesday dropped two terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione in his state case for the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, but the second-degree murder charge remains.

Mangione, 27, appeared in court in Manhattan on Tuesday, Sept. 16, wearing beige jail clothes, handcuffs, and shackles. His lawyers asked the court to dismiss his state murder and terrorism charges. Judge Gregory Carro said the evidence supporting the New York state terrorism charges was “legally insufficient.”

In a written decision, Carro said: “There is no indication in the statute that a murder committed for ideological reasons (in this case, the defendant’s apparent desire to draw attention to what he perceived as inequities or greed within the American health care system) fits within the definition of terrorism without establishing the necessary element of an intent to intimidate or coerce.”

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has said that the killing was “a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.” A spokesperson for Bragg’s office added, “We respect the Court’s decision and will proceed on the remaining nine counts, including murder in the second degree.”

Carro ruled that hearings on Mangione’s state charges will begin Dec. 1.

Mangione’s attorneys argue that his New York case and his federal case are parallel prosecutions, which they say amounts to double jeopardy. He faces the death penalty if convicted in the federal case.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges.

Tuesday’s hearing was Mangione’s first court appearance since February. Supporters gathered outside the courtroom, some dressed as the Luigi video game character.

His attorneys have also tried to prevent prosecutors from using evidence collected during his December 2024 arrest in Altoona, Pa., including a handgun and a notebook where authorities say he wrote about his intent to “wack” an insurance executive. They also asked the judge to dismiss the terrorism charges if the state case continues.

Thompson was shot and killed on Dec. 4, 2024, outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel, where the company was holding an investor conference. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind as he arrived. Mangione was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona.