A judge in New York has dropped terrorism allegations against Luigi Mangione relating to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, while maintaining second-degree murder charges against the Ivy League graduate. Mangione’s legal team contended that facing both state and federal prosecutions constituted double jeopardy, but Judge Gregory Carro dismissed this argument, deeming it premature to decide at this stage.
This marks Mangione’s first appearance in the state trial since February. The 27-year-old has garnered a dedicated following as a symbol of discontent with the health insurance sector, with numerous supporters attending his hearings dressed in the signature green of the Luigi video game character. Judge Carro stated in his ruling that though the crime was not typical, New York law does not classify an act as terrorism solely based on ideological motivation.
Pretrial hearings have been scheduled for December 1, shortly before Mangione’s next federal court appearance. Mangione pleaded not guilty to various murder charges, including terrorism, following the fatal shooting of Thompson on December 4, 2024, captured on surveillance footage. The gunman left a message on the ammunition suggesting criticism of the insurance industry’s claims practices.
Mangione was apprehended five days post-incident in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and has been detained at a federal facility in Brooklyn. The Manhattan district attorney’s office asserts that there are no double jeopardy concerns as neither case has proceeded to trial, with distinct legal grounds for the state and federal prosecutions.
Legal representatives for Mangione argue that navigating both cases simultaneously presents a complex challenge for the defense. The state charges allege Mangione’s intent to coerce individuals associated with insurance, while federal charges accuse him of stalking Thompson without terrorism elements. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty, labeling the assassination as a politically motivated and premeditated act.
Quoting from Mangione’s diary, prosecutors have outlined his anti-industry sentiments and admiration for the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, in support of the state murder charges. Entries depict his disdain for the health insurance sector and his belief that the killing was necessary for change. Prosecutors argue that his writings explicitly reveal his intentions to revolutionize the industry through Thompson’s murder.