Terrorism charges have been dropped against Luigi Mangione, the suspect accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel late last year.
On Monday, Judge Gregory Carro ruled that prosecutors failed to provide enough evidence to prove Mangione’s actions met the legal standard for terrorism. Specifically, the court found there wasn’t sufficient proof that the killing was intended to intimidate the public or coerce government policy, requirements under New York’s terrorism statutes.
That means two of the most serious charges are now off the table:
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First-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism
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Second-degree murder as a crime of terrorism
But this doesn’t mean Mangione is walking free. He still faces a state-level second-degree murder charge, along with eight other counts, including criminal possession of a weapon and false identification. Conviction on the murder charge alone could bring 25 years to life in prison.
On top of that, Mangione has a federal case pending. The U.S. Justice Department has charged him with four counts, including murder with a firearm, and federal prosecutors are actively pursuing the death penalty.
The state case is scheduled for its next pretrial hearings on December 1, 2025, while the federal timeline has not yet been set.
Outside the courtroom, Mangione had a visible show of support. A group of supporters gathered with signs reading “Free Luigi”.
This case made headlines not only because of the victim’s high-profile role in the healthcare industry, but also because it raised questions about how broadly terrorism laws can be applied in violent crimes. For now, the focus shifts to the murder and weapons charges, and the looming possibility of a federal death penalty trial.
