Manhattan, NY — In a major blow to prosecutors, a New York judge has thrown out terrorism-related charges in the high-profile case of Luigi Mangione, the Ivy League graduate accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. While the terrorism counts were dismissed, Mangione still faces a second-degree murder charge and separate federal proceedings that could carry the death penalty.

---

The Ruling: Terrorism Charges Struck Down

On Tuesday, Judge Gregory Carro ruled that prosecutors failed to prove Mangione acted with “terroristic intent” when he allegedly shot Thompson outside a UnitedHealthcare investor conference on Dec. 4, 2024.

“The People presented sufficient evidence that the defendant murdered Brian Thompson in a premeditated and calculated execution. That does not mean, however, that the defendant did so with terroristic intent,” Carro wrote in his decision.

As a result, the top counts — murder in the first degree as an act of terrorism and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism — were dismissed. This reduces Mangione’s potential state sentence: he now faces 25 years to life with parole eligibility, rather than life without parole.

---

The Murder Charge Still Stands

Despite the setback, prosecutors will move forward on second-degree murder charges, maintaining that Mangione intentionally killed Thompson in cold blood.

District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office initially sought terrorism enhancements, arguing the murder was designed to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population.” But the judge found that evidence presented to the grand jury was “legally insufficient” to meet New York’s high threshold for terrorism.

Carro emphasized that Mangione’s writings suggested his objective was not to terrorize the public but to protest what he described as the “greed of the insurance industry.”

---

Background: A Calculated Attack

Prosecutors allege that Mangione ambushed Thompson outside the Midtown Hilton in Manhattan, firing at close range. The bullets recovered bore engravings such as “deny,” “depose,” and “defend” — words prosecutors say were meant to echo insurance industry practices of rejecting medical claims.

Thompson, a father of two, was pronounced dead at the scene, sending shockwaves through both Wall Street and Washington.

---

Courtroom Drama

Mangione appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday, dressed in a tan prison uniform over a maroon shirt, shackled as he was led into the courtroom. Despite the grim charges, he raised his eyebrows and acknowledged a group of roughly two dozen supporters — many young women — who filled the gallery.

Outside, demonstrators carried signs reading “Healthcare is a Human Right” and “Not Guilty,” framing Mangione as a political dissenter rather than a terrorist. Some wore “Free Luigi” shirts, underscoring the case’s growing polarization.

---

Federal Case and Death Penalty Risk

Even with the state’s top charges dismissed, Mangione’s legal jeopardy remains severe. He faces separate federal charges where prosecutors have already indicated plans to seek the death penalty, an exceptionally rare step in New York cases.

U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi has said the federal government will argue Mangione’s actions meet the threshold for capital punishment due to the premeditation and symbolic targeting of a healthcare executive.

---

What Comes Next

• State case: Mangione is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 1 for pretrial proceedings.

• Federal case: A hearing is set for Dec. 5, where the Justice Department will outline its death penalty request.

If convicted in state court, Mangione faces 25 years to life in prison with parole eligibility. If convicted federally, he could face execution.

---

Broader Implications

The ruling highlights the difficulty prosecutors face when trying to apply terrorism laws outside of traditional extremist or political violence cases. Legal experts previously warned that charging Mangione as a terrorist was “a reach,” noting that New York typically reserves such counts for cases involving attacks on law enforcement, public officials, or mass intimidation campaigns.

For now, the case will proceed as a high-profile murder trial, while the looming federal prosecution keeps open the possibility of the ultimate penalty.

---

⚖️ Bottom line: Luigi Mangione may have avoided terrorism charges in state court, but he still faces the prospect of spending life behind bars — or even execution — for the assassination of a Fortune 500 CEO.