Terrorism accused against Luigi Mangione in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO dropped by New York judge
Luigi Mangione, a man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is facing charges in both state and federal court. The Manhattan district attorney's office argues that there are no double jeopardy issues as the two cases involve different legal theories.
In the state case, Mangione is charged with wanting to "intimidate or coerce a civilian population," specifically insurance employees and investors. Prosecutors have quoted extensively from Mangione's handwritten diary to uphold his murder charges, highlighting his desire for revolutionary change in the healthcare industry and his admiration for Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber. They also cited a confession Mangione allegedly wrote, "To the feds," in which he stated, "it had to be done."
However, Judge Gregory Carro dismissed terrorism charges against Mangione in the state's case. He stated that New York law does not consider something terrorism simply because it was motivated by ideology. The state's second-degree murder charges against Mangione remain.
In the federal case, the charges do not involve terrorism allegations. Mangione's lawyers claim the dueling cases create a "legal quagmire."
Mangione pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism, in the Dec. 4, 2024, killing. He wore beige prison clothes, handcuffs, and shackles during his first court appearance in the state case since February.
Dozens of Mangione's supporters showed up to his last hearing, many wearing the Luigi video game character's green color as a symbol of solidarity. One fan in the courtroom wore a shirt saying "FREE LUIGI."
Pretrial hearings in the case are scheduled for Dec. 1. Mangione's next court appearance in the federal case is yet to be announced.
Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind as he arrived for an investor conference at the New York Hilton Midtown. Mangione's writings, according to prosecutors, convey a desire for revolutionary change in the healthcare industry.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the pursuit of the death penalty for Mangione in an "act of political violence" and a "premeditated, cold-blooded assassination." Judge Gregory Carro, however, rejected Mangione's double jeopardy argument in the New York case.
