From the New York Times: State terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the defendant in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive last year, were dismissed on Tuesday, including a first-degree murder count that could have landed him in prison for the rest of his life.
The judge overseeing the case, Gregory Carro, said he had found the evidence behind the charges “legally insufficient.” Mr. Mangione, 27, is still charged with second-degree murder and that case is expected to proceed, though no trial date has been set.
The decision by Justice Carro is a blow to the Manhattan district attorney’s office, led by Alvin L. Bragg. Mr. Bragg had argued that a terrorism charge was warranted because Mr. Mangione had targeted the chief executive, Brian Thompson, in “the media capital of the world,” Midtown Manhattan, at the beginning of a busy morning, hoping to create a spectacle that would help further his message.
New York law requires that prosecutors who charge a defendant with terrorism show that the person attempted to intimidate a civilian population, or influence government policy or conduct. Judge Carro said that prosecutors had failed to show that Mr. Mangione sought to do either of those things.
The report clarifies that additional charges are being brought against Mangione, both in federal court and in Pennsylvania, where he was caught.
Federal prosecutors have stated that they plan to seek the death penalty.
Crazy! Judge tossed out 2 charges were against Luigi Mangione, who is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare's CEO, including a state terrorism charge. He still faces murder charge. But this guy is a hero on the left. He must be held accountable to send the right message. pic.twitter.com/lMNlyDcLH7
— Dennis Michael Lynch (@TrustDML) September 16, 2025
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 he kept the state’s second-degree murder charges. pic.twitter.com/rXl9il3igr
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 16, 2025
READ MORE from the New York Times.
Breaking News: A judge dismissed two state terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, who is accused in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive. https://t.co/7cxKpOAnpz
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 16, 2025
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