A New York state judge has dismissed terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione in connection with the December 2024 killing of Brian Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealthcare. However, the judge has allowed the second-degree murder charge to remain. Justice Gregory Carro made the ruling on Tuesday during a court appearance in Manhattan.

Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges related to Thompson's death. The judge's decision came shortly after Mangione was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs and shackles, dressed in tan prison attire.

Thompson was shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024, as he arrived for an investor conference. Surveillance footage captured a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Following the incident, police discovered messages on the ammunition that echoed phrases often used to describe how insurance companies avoid paying claims.

Mangione's defense team argued that the state and federal cases against him constituted double jeopardy. However, Judge Carro rejected this claim, stating it was too early to make such a determination. He noted that while the killing was not typical street crime, it did not meet the legal definition of terrorism under New York law.

In his written decision, Carro explained, "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.'"

Supporters of Mangione have rallied around him, viewing him as a symbol of frustration with the health insurance system. A small group gathered outside the courthouse on Wednesday, with some wearing costumes inspired by the Nintendo character Luigi and others holding signs advocating for healthcare as a human right.

The Manhattan district attorney's office has stated that there are no double jeopardy issues since neither case has gone to trial. They argue that the state and federal prosecutions are based on different legal theories. The state charges could result in a life sentence if Mangione is convicted.

Federal prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty, describing the killing as a premeditated act of political violence. In court filings, they referenced Mangione's handwritten diary, which allegedly expressed a desire to kill an insurance executive and included praise for notorious figures like Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber.

The judge has scheduled pretrial hearings for December 1, just days before Mangione's next court appearance in the federal case. Mangione has been held in federal custody in Brooklyn since his arrest shortly after the shooting.