A New York judge dismissed two state terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, stating there was “insufficient” evidence provided.
Justice Gregory Carro, of the New York Court of Claims, dropped the charges -- murder in the second degree as an act of terrorism, and murder in the first degree in furtherance of terrorism -- on Tuesday. Mangione is still facing second-degree murder charges.
In his ruling, Carro said that “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.”
Prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office had brought a slew of charges against Mangione in December 2024 after a nearly five-day manhunt ended in his arrest. The 27-year-old is accused of shooting Thompson, CEO of the U.S’s largest health insurer, in midtown Manhattan.
State prosecutors argued that terrorism charges were appropriate because Mangione allegedly “targeted” Thompson and carried out the shooting in front of the hotel where UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference.
But lawyers for Mangione said the terrorism charges amounted to “double jeopardy” because their client is facing state charges in New York and Pennsylvania, as well as federal charges. Carro rejected that argument while still ruling in favor of Mangione.
The 27-year-old still faces the second-degree murder charge and eight weapon-related charges in the New York case.
From the moment Thompson was fatally shot and an intense manhunt began, the case garnered national attention, in a country where millions of people are burdened by healthcare-related debt.
Mangione, who had reportedly been angry about the health insurance system, allegedly shot Thompson early in the morning on December 4 as he was walking into the hotel.
After the shooting, Mangione fled on a bike through Central Park, hopped in a taxi, and then got on a bus to Pennsylvania. Nearly five days after the shooting, law enforcement arrested Mangione after he was recognized in a McDonald’s.
Thompson, 50, had kept a relatively low profile while serving as CEO of UnitedHealthcare for more than three years. He was married and had two teenage children.
Appearing in Manhattan Criminal Court in a tan jumpsuit Tuesday, Mangione solemnly walked by as dozens of cameras flashed – a familiar sight in the high-profile homicide case. Mangione’s court appearances consistently draw large crowds of opponents and supporters.
On Tuesday, fans wearing “Free Luigi” t-shirts and carrying supportive signs stood outside the downtown courthouse. Some dressed in green to represent the Nintendo character Luigi and ventured inside where they sat in solidarity with the accused killer.
Outside, a truck with an digital screen passed by showing a message from an anonymous individual who said their health insurance company refused to pay for their child’s medical evaluation.
The 27-year-old has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fee donations and stacks of fan mail have been sent to the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he is being held.
"We respect the Court's decision and will proceed on the remaining nine counts, including Murder in the Second Degree," the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said in a statement after Carro’s ruling.
Mangione is facing five charges in Pennsylvania: forgery, tampering with records, false identification to law enforcement, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of an instrument of crime.
He also faces federal charges of interstate stalking, firearm offenses, and murder through the use of a firearm, which carries the death penalty.
Mangione is expected back in Manhattan Criminal Court on December 1.
