Terrorism Charges Against Luigi Mangione Are Dismissed

Eye-level view of the iconic skyline of New York City

Luigi Mangione appeared in a packed Lower Manhattan courtroom Tuesday morning as New York Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro dismissed two terrorism-related charges tied to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The decision removes the most severe counts from the Manhattan District Attorney’s case, ruling prosecutors failed to demonstrate that Mangione acted with the legal intent required under New York’s terrorism statute. He still faces second-degree murder and eight additional criminal charges in state court, alongside a separate federal case where prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty.

Mangione entered the courtroom in beige prison clothing, handcuffed with ankle shackles, flanked by officers as spectators craned their necks from the gallery benches behind him. The courtroom audience skewed notably young, with many supporters arriving early to secure seats. Several wore green in reference to the Nintendo character Luigi, while one woman sat in a black “FREE LUIGI” shirt.

The atmosphere inside the courtroom was unusually charged for a procedural hearing. Supporters whispered to each other before proceedings began, while reporters lined the side rows waiting for Justice Carro’s ruling.

Carro rejected the prosecution’s argument that Thompson’s killing legally constituted terrorism under New York law. In his written decision, the judge stated that while the crime was clearly not an ordinary act of violence, prosecutors had not presented sufficient evidence showing Mangione intended to intimidate a civilian population or influence government policy through coercion.

“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,” Carro wrote.

The judge also criticized the state’s reliance on ideological language found in Mangione’s writings, including references to “revolutionary anarchism,” saying prosecutors stretched the meaning of the phrase beyond what the evidence could support.

As the ruling was read, Mangione remained mostly silent at the defense table, occasionally leaning toward his attorneys. When court adjourned, he briefly raised his eyebrows toward supporters in the gallery as officers escorted him out.

Outside the courthouse, reactions spread quickly through a small but vocal crowd gathered across the street. Some supporters cheered after learning the terrorism charges had been dismissed. One attendee dressed in a full green Luigi costume stood beside demonstrators holding signs criticizing the American healthcare industry. An Italian tricolor flag reading “Healthcare is a human right” waved near the barricades.

Despite the dismissal, Justice Carro allowed the second-degree murder charge to stand, writing there was sufficient evidence prosecutors could use to argue Mangione carried out a “premeditated and calculated execution.” That charge alone still carries a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty in both the state and federal cases.

Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo called the ruling “a big win” outside court following the hearing. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office responded in a statement saying prosecutors “respect the Court’s decision” and would continue pursuing the remaining charges.

The case continues to attract intense public fascination nearly two years after Thompson was fatally shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare was holding an investor conference. Mangione, who was arrested days later in Altoona, Pennsylvania, has since become a polarizing figure online, viewed by critics as a political extremist and by some supporters as a symbol of anger toward the U.S. healthcare system.

Mangione’s next state court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 1.